On Friday, June 13, 2025, the New York Yankees faced unsettling news involving their legendary former closer, Mariano Rivera. A civil lawsuit filed in Westchester County, New York, alleges that Rivera and his wife, Clara, failed to protect a young girl from sexual abuse during a 2018 church-affiliated internship and later attempted to suppress the victim’s reports to protect their church’s reputation.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Adam Horowitz, claims that Clara Rivera, as head pastor of Refuge of Hope Church, persuaded the girl’s mother to allow her daughter to attend a summer internship at Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida. During the internship, the girl was allegedly sexually abused by an older female camper in an unsupervised dorm room. The abuse reportedly continued during a barbecue at the Riveras’ home in Rye, New York, later that summer. The lawsuit further alleges that the Riveras failed to take appropriate action upon learning of the abuse and instead attempted to intimidate the victim into silence.
In response, the Riveras’ attorney, Joseph A. Ruta, denied the allegations, stating that the couple was unaware of the incidents until 2022, when they received a letter requesting a financial settlement. Ruta emphasized that the Riveras have been known for their charitable work and commitment to serving underprivileged children, and he described the allegations as “completely false.”
The lawsuit continues to draw public attention and scrutiny over the alleged misconduct and institutional negligence. As the legal proceedings unfold, the baseball community and the public await further developments.
