Mariano Rivera, the Hall of Fame Yankees legend, and his wife, Clara, have categorically denied allegations that they covered up the sexual abuse of a minor at their Rye, N.Y., home and a summer camp connected to their church in 2018. The claims were made in a lawsuit filed last week in State Supreme Court in Westchester.
Mariano Rivera, wife Clara deny allegations in child sex abuse lawsuit
In a statement released Thursday, the couple’s attorney, Joseph A. Ruta, refuted the accusations. “Mariano and Clara Rivera do not tolerate child abuse of any kind, and allegations that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false,” Ruta said. He added that the Riveras first learned of the claims in 2022, four years after the alleged incidents, through a letter from a New York attorney seeking a financial settlement. A second request for a settlement followed in 2023, this time from a Florida law firm.
“The lawsuit, which seeks financial damages for the Riveras’ alleged failure to act, is filled with inaccurate and misleading statements that will not hold up in court,” Ruta asserted.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Jane Doe, alleges she was sexually abused multiple times in 2018 by another girl at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Fla., where the Riveras are affiliated. According to the complaint, Jane Doe’s mother was assured Clara Rivera would “respond accordingly” to the abuse allegations. However, the lawsuit claims that when the couple visited the camp, they “isolated and intimidated” Jane Doe to silence her.
The abuse reportedly continued after Jane Doe returned home and attended services at the Riveras’ Refuge of Hope church in New Rochelle, N.Y. At a barbecue held at the Riveras’ Rye home in August 2018, the same girl allegedly abused Jane Doe again. Parents were not invited to the event, according to the lawsuit.
Further allegations extend beyond 2018, with Jane Doe claiming she was abused in 2021 and 2022 by Ruben Tavarez Jr., the son of an associate pastor at the church. Tavarez Jr. also allegedly engaged in inappropriate electronic communications with her. The lawsuit, represented by Horowitz Law, accuses the Riveras of failing in their duty to protect Jane Doe.
“Our lawsuit alleges that Mariano and Clara Rivera had a duty to protect our client and missed the opportunity to save her from the harms of sexual abuse,” said Adam Horowitz, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiff.
Rivera, 55, is widely regarded as the greatest closer in MLB history, having spent his entire 19-year career with the Yankees. He won five World Series titles and holds the record for the most career saves with 652. The allegations have cast a shadow over his reputation as one of baseball’s most respected figures.
The case remains ongoing, with the Riveras adamantly denying the claims and preparing to defend their innocence in court.
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