A 17-year-old girl has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation after alleging that she was sexually assaulted multiple times at events linked to a church where Clara Rivera, the wife of former New York Yankees star Mariano Rivera, serves as a senior pastor. The lawsuit claims that one of these incidents occurred at the Riveras’ primary residence in Rye, New York.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in Westchester County Court on January 16, names Refugio de Esperanza, a church in New Rochelle, and 1 Brook View Rye, LLC as defendants. While the Riveras themselves are not directly named in the lawsuit, 1 Brook View Rye, LLC is included because it was the listed address of their primary residence, which also played a role in church activities.
The plaintiff, referred to as Jane A. Doe, has requested anonymity. Her legal team claims that the church failed to protect her from foreseeable harm and did not take appropriate corrective actions. The lawsuit also accuses the Riveras of intimidating the plaintiff to keep silent about the alleged assault.
The Riveras’ Response
Mariano and Clara Rivera have denied the allegations, calling them “completely false.” Their attorney, Joseph A. Ruta, stated that the couple first learned about the claims nearly four years after the incidents when they received a letter seeking financial settlement.
Ruta emphasized that the lawsuit contains “inaccurate and misleading statements” and believes it will not hold up in court. He also defended the couple, stating that they have always been committed to protecting children and do not tolerate any form of abuse.
Alleged Assault at a Florida Internship
The lawsuit details events from 2018 when the plaintiff, then around 11 years old, was encouraged by Clara Rivera to join a summer internship at Ignite Life Church in Gainesville, Florida. The program was affiliated with Refugio de Esperanza, and the church covered the expenses.
The complaint states that the young interns were required to stay at Ignite Life Church without parental supervision. During this period, the plaintiff was allegedly sexually assaulted multiple times by an older teenage girl, who was also a minor.
Her mother reportedly became concerned after a phone call with her daughter. Clara Rivera allegedly assured the mother that she would investigate, but instead, the lawsuit claims that the Riveras pressured the plaintiff into staying silent to avoid damaging the church’s reputation.
Further Allegations at a Church Event in New York
After returning to New York, the plaintiff continued attending Refugio de Esperanza. Later that summer, the church hosted a barbecue at the Riveras’ Rye residence for minors. Parents were not invited to this event, according to the lawsuit.
During this gathering, the plaintiff was allegedly left alone with the same older teen and was sexually assaulted again. The lawsuit argues that church leaders were aware of the risks but failed to protect her.
Accusations of Sexual Abuse by a Church Leader
In August 2021, the plaintiff was allegedly abused again—this time by an adult youth leader at Refugio de Esperanza. The lawsuit claims that this leader had a history of inappropriate behavior towards minors, which the church either ignored or failed to act upon.
The suit states that the church had “superior knowledge” of the risks but misled the plaintiff’s family into believing she was safe. It further argues that the incidents qualify as sex offenses under New York law.
Other Sexual Abuse Cases at Ignite Life Church
The lawsuit also highlights previous sex crimes involving Ignite Life Church. Three men have faced accusations, and two were convicted.
One of them, Gabriel Giovani Hemenez, pleaded no contest to lewd acts with a minor and was sentenced to five years in prison and eight years of probation. Another individual pleaded no contest to aggravated assault and received three years of probation.
Current Status of the Case
The lawsuit gives the defendants 20 days to respond to the summons. The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial, where the financial compensation for damages would be determined. Since New York law holds landowners accountable for actions on their property, 1 Brook View Rye, LLC is included as a defendant in the case.
The plaintiff and her family, who were longtime members of Refugio de Esperanza, relocated to Georgia in 2022.
Legal Perspectives and Statements
Adam Horowitz, one of the plaintiff’s attorneys, commended his client for her bravery and stated that the lawsuit aims to expose potential dangers at the church. He criticized the Riveras for failing to protect the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, the Riveras’ lawyer reiterated their dedication to helping underprivileged children and dismissed the allegations as an attempt to target them unfairly.
This lawsuit, which involves serious claims of negligence and cover-ups, will now proceed through the legal system. The case has drawn attention due to the involvement of Mariano Rivera, a baseball legend who remains the only player unanimously elected to the MLB Hall of Fame.
