Mariano Rivera Accused of Covering Up Sexual Abuse in Lawsuit

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are facing a lawsuit alleging they covered up the sexual abuse of a minor at their church-affiliated summer camp and their former home. The lawsuit, filed Jan. 16 in the Supreme Court of Westchester County, accuses the Riveras of negligence and failing to act after learning of the abuse.

The plaintiff, identified as “Jane Doe,” claims she was sexually abused by an older minor, referred to as “MG,” during a 2018 summer internship at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida. The camp is supported by Rivera’s church, Refuge of Hope, where he serves as lead pastor. Clara Rivera oversees the church’s daily operations.

According to the lawsuit, the Riveras traveled to Florida during the internship and “learned or should have learned” about the abuse but failed to take sufficient action. Instead, they allegedly intimidated the victim to remain silent to avoid scandal for the church and the internship program.

The abuse reportedly continued at a barbecue hosted at the Riveras’ former home in Rye, New York, in August 2018. The lawsuit also alleges that the victim was sexually abused by Ruben Tavarez Jr., the adult son of Refuge of Hope’s associate pastor, in August 2021.

The complaint accuses the Riveras of promoting their activities and premises as safe while allegedly ignoring known risks. It also highlights a pattern of negligence at Ignite Life Center, where three individuals have been arrested for child sex crimes, including a former volunteer sentenced to five years in prison.

Mariano Rivera, who pitched for the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Refuge of Hope and Ignite Life Center have also not responded to requests for comment.

The lawsuit seeks damages for negligence, premises liability, and emotional distress. It underscores the alleged failure of the Riveras and the church to protect vulnerable minors in their care.