Yankee Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, Wife Sued Over Alleged Sexual Abuse at Their Home, Florida Church

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (January 22, 2025) — A legal complaint has been filed in the Supreme Court of Westchester County, New York, targeting Refugio de Esperanza, Inc., known as Refuge of Hope, and 1 Brook View Rye, LLC, linked to former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara, over allegations of negligent supervision and premises liability in connection with sexual abuse incidents.

JANE A DOE v. REFUGIO DE ESPERANZA, INC. a/k/a REFUGE OF HOPE (473 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY) and 1 BROOK VIEW RYE, LLC

The plaintiff, identified only as Jane A Doe for privacy, alleges she was sexually abused by another minor, MG, during a 2018 summer internship at the Ignite Life Center (ILC) in Gainesville, Florida, which was supported by Refuge of Hope. The abuse reportedly continued at a barbecue hosted by the defendants at the Brook View property in Rye, New York.

Furthermore, Jane A Doe claims she was also victimized by Ruben Tavarez, an adult youth leader at Refuge of Hope, in August 2021. The lawsuit argues that the defendants failed to adequately supervise or act on known risks, leading to these incidents.

Mariano Rivera: serves as a pastor at Refuge of Hope. He pitched for the Yankees from 1995 to 2013. He notched 652 career saves and was a 13-time All-Star and 5-time World Series champion. He is the first player in the history of the sport to be elected unanimously into the National Baseball Hall of Fam with a highest-ever perfect 100 percent Hall of Fame voting percentage on his first ballot. Mariano Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald J. Trump on September 16, 2019.

Clara Rivera: serves as a pastor at Refuge of Hope and manages day-to-day church operations

Brook View Rye LLC: their former estate in Rye/Harrison, NY, named in the suit for premises liability.

UPDATE: Statement from Joseph Ruta, attorney for Mariano and Clara Rivera, regarding allegations they failed to protect a young girl who attended their New Rochelle church from abuse:

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. 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. This was followed by a second letter in 2023, from a different Florida law firm, again requesting a financial settlement.
The lawsuit, which seeks financial damages for the Riveras’ alleged failure to act on alleged incidents that were never reported to them, is full of inaccurate and misleading statements which we have no doubt will not hold up in a court of law.
The Riveras are known throughout New York for their charitable work and especially for their commitment to serving underprivileged children. It’s unfortunate they are being targeted by false allegations.

The complaint also sheds light on a pattern of alleged negligence at ILC, where three individuals have been arrested for child sex crimes, including former volunteer Gabriel Hemenez, convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, Christian Vargas, son of ILC head pastor Mark Vega, and Noel Cruz, son of a former associate pastor. These cases, in turn, highlight a series of sexual abuse allegations within the Ignite Life Center, involving both minors and young adults, leading to significant legal repercussions for the individuals involved.

Gabriel Hemenez

Charges: Pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of attempted sexual battery against a minor.

Sentence: Five years in prison, followed by eight years of sex offender probation, and lifelong registration as a sexual offender.

Background: A former volunteer and Ignite School of Ministry student at Ignite Life Center (ILC), arrested in 2023 after abusing minors during a church internship.

(Gabriel Hemenez) accused of child sex crime at (Ignite Life Center in Gainesville) sentenced to 5 years in prison (3/7/2024)

Christian Vargas

Charges: Facing charges including lewd or lascivious battery on a minor and lewd or lascivious conduct involving an adult aged 18 or older.

Status: Case in the deposition phase, with a court appearance scheduled for February 3, 2025.

Background: Son of ILC head pastors Mark and Lisa Vega, accused of engaging in sexual relationships with minors.

Christian Vargas arrested for sexual incidents with young teen girls at church

Noel Cruz

Charges: Initially charged with lewd or lascivious battery on a person younger than 16. Later pleaded no contest to one count of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.

Sentence: 36 months of probation, with the possibility of early termination after 18 months if conditions are met.

Background: Former staff member at ILC, son of former associate pastor Jose Cruz. His plea avoided a potential prison sentence, with additional conditions like community service and no contact with the victim.

Former Ignite Life Center staff member (Noel Cruz) pleads no contest, sentenced to probation amid sexual abuse charges (1/17/2025)

The Riveras have had a long association with ILC, with Vega previously serving as a chaplain for the Yankee when Mariano Rivera was with the team.

This case comes amidst other legal actions against ILC, including settled lawsuits for similar abuses by Hemenez during church camps, highlighting systemic issues within the organization.

Ignite Life Center faces three sexual abuse lawsuits (3/13/2024)

Settlement agreement reached with victims of lawsuits against Gainesville church and its parent organization (12/10/2024)

ILC has continued its expansion plans into Brazil despite these controversies.

Ignite Life Center Moving Forward with Brazil Plans Amid Child Sexual Abuse Cases (12/27/2024)

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for the physical, psychological, and emotional harm inflicted upon Jane A Doe, with the case set for a jury trial.

Legal representatives for the defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit.