A lawsuit accuses former New York Yankees star Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, of covering up instances of child sexual abuse linked to their home and affiliated church summer camp.
In 2018, recent legal actions brought to light alleged failures by the Riveras to address sexual exploitation, New York Post reported.
The Riveras, known for their deep connection to the New Rochelle church, Refuge of Hope, now face serious allegations. The lawsuit, filed last week in the state Supreme Court in Westchester, claims that both Mariano and Clara concealed repeated instances of abuse, including acts that allegedly took place during a children-only barbecue at their Rye, NY, home.
Court documents reveal that the victim, referred to as Jane Doe, endured repeated sexual abuse by an older girl, primarily during events connected to the Riveras' home and the church. The abuse reportedly spanned a period, casting a long shadow over the victim's life.
Further complications arose when Jane Doe allegedly suffered abuse from another individual, Ruben Tavarez Jr., in 2021 and 2022, adding layers to the ongoing legal battle and claims against the Riveras.
Mariano Rivera, famed for his 19-year baseball career and record of 652 saves with the Yankees, is now facing challenges off the field that might affect his celebratory legacy, including his integral role in securing five World Series titles.
These allegations have surfaced late in Rivera's public story, initiated by a legal notice sent to the Riveras in 2022 by a New York attorney. This correspondence was the first reported instance where the Riveras were made aware of the accusations, according to their legal team, and was followed by another similar letter in 2023 from a Florida law firm.
The lawsuit primarily seeks financial damages, addressing the perceived inaction by the Riveras concerning the reported abuse. It asserts a failure on their part to intervene or acknowledge the issues when the abuse was first reported, challenging the couple's once-esteemed reputation.
"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," stated Joseph A. Ruta, attorney for the Riveras, underscoring the couple's stance on the matter.
Ruta emphasized that the allegations were unheard of by his clients until almost four years after the alleged incidents. "The very first time they heard about these allegations was nearly four years after the alleged incident, when in 2022 a New York attorney sent a letter requesting a financial settlement," he commented, highlighting the timing of the notifications.
Moreover, Ruta called out the lawsuit for containing what he described as "inaccurate and misleading statements", confident that these would not hold up under legal scrutiny.
Adam Horowitz, the attorney representing Jane Doe, positions the lawsuit as a plea for accountability. "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," Horowitz stated, pinpointing the alleged lack of proactive measures taken by the Riveras.
The case emphasizes not only the individual allegations but also the broader implications involving the trust placed in community figures and their responsibilities toward the safety of vulnerable individuals within their spheres of influence.
This high-profile lawsuit brings forth issues of accountability, with potential long-term effects on Rivera's public image and legacy, pivoting from a story of sports success to one of legal battles and moral questions.
