Mariano Rivera, wife break silence after being accused of covering up child sex abuse
New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, recently found themselves embroiled in a lawsuit alleging that they covered up child sex abuse of a minor in their home and a summer camp associated with their church. The couple broke their silence on Thursday, with their attorney, Joseph A. Ruta, issuing a statement denying the allegations.
According to Ruta, the Riveras were unaware of the accusations until 2022, four years after the alleged incident took place. The attorney for the alleged victim had requested a financial settlement, leading to the revelation of the allegations. The Riveras vehemently denied any knowledge of the abuse and stated that they do not tolerate child abuse in any form.
The lawsuit, filed by a woman identified as “Jane Doe,” claimed that she was sexually abused by an older girl known as “MG” during a summer internship in 2018 at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, which was connected to Rivera’s church. The suit alleged that Clara was informed of the abuse by the victim’s mother but failed to take appropriate action, instead covering up the incident.
The lawsuit further alleged that MG also abused the victim at the Riveras’ residence in Rye, New York, during a barbecue that summer. The suit claimed that the Riveras knew or should have known about MG’s propensity to abuse children but failed to protect the victim.
Despite the allegations, Mariano Rivera continued to achieve monumental success in his career. In January 2019, he became the first player to be unanimously elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Later that year, President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his contributions to the sport.
Rivera is widely regarded as the greatest closer in baseball history, holding the record for most career saves with 652. His remarkable 2.21 ERA is the lowest among pitchers with at least 500 innings since the live-ball era began in 1920.
The Riveras’ attorney has vehemently denied the allegations in the lawsuit, stating that the claims are inaccurate and misleading. The couple maintains their innocence and their commitment to protecting children from abuse.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Mariano Rivera and Clara Rivera continue to face scrutiny over the allegations, despite their impressive achievements and reputation in the world of baseball.
