Mariano Rivera, the former New York Yankee star and five-time World Series champion, and his wife Clara Rivera have been named in a lawsuit. They are alleged to be negligent over supervision and for premises liability. The lawsuit was filed on January 16, and it also targets Brook View Rye LLC, their former estate in New York. Now the allegations are centered around the events that occurred in their Refuge of Hope Church and affiliations with the Gainesville-based Ignite Life Center.

Mariano Rivera, known for his MLB career, is also a leader in Refuge of Hope. However, reports suggest his involvement is symbolic, and Clara oversees the daily operations. This lawsuit claims that the Riveras failed to act on the allegation of indecent behavior during the ILC program, one where a minor now referred to as the anonymous Jane Doe was involved. The minor had attended the ILC summer internship, which Clara Rivera had suggested to the minor’s mother.

The suit outlines a troubling narrative of Jane Doe’s time in ILC. Several minors reportedly were housed with older minors. This was a safety hazard, and during the program, Doe suffered indecent behavior from another minor later called MG. Also, phones were not allowed initially, but later they were allowed after a lawyer and parent intervened.

Now Jane Doe’s parents, upon coming to know the situation, demanded a report on these concerns, as the lawsuit claims. However, no reply came from the Riveras. The filing also alleges, “The lawsuit states, ‘Ms. Rivera and her husband, Refuge of Hope employee/volunteer/agent Mariano Rivera, then traveled from New York to Florida to see Jane Doe at the Ignite Life Summer Internship. During that trip, the Riveras, in their capacity as agents for defendants, learned or should have learned information that Jane Doe was being sexually abused by MG.”

“Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe, the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship.” 

The lawsuit claims that Mariano Rivera and his wife lied to Jane Doe’s mother, allowing her daughter to be a victim of the heinous crimes. Later Doe returned to NY after the program but continued attending services at Refuge of Hope. This, however, isn’t the end of what the lawsuit alleges.

Mariano Rivera and wife face serious allegations of neglect

Then in August 2018, the Refuge of Hope held a barbeque at the Rivera family’s Brook View Rye property. There the children from the church were invited sans the parents. The lawsuit alleged that despite knowing MG was at the BBQ, the 5x New York Yankee’s champion’s family apparently left John Doe unsupervised with MG.

The lawsuit states, “Upon information and belief, DEFENDANTS’ failure to take corrective action in response to the 2018 allegations at the Ignite Summer Internship was consistent with an established and ongoing modus operandi by DEFENDANTS to handle allegations of sexual abuse internally so as to avoid scrutiny, public scandal, and potential financial losses from allegations of child sexual abuse becoming public information.”

Also, the suit claims that John Doe suffered obscenity by Ruben Tavarez Jr., the son of a Refuge of Hope associate pastor. Tavarez Jr. apparently groomed Doe and sent her inappropriate digital communications. Doe’s mother discovered this item through the messages and images. The lawsuit also claims that Riveras failed to do their duty and protect the children.