Unveiling the Allegations: The Civil Lawsuit Against Donnie McClurkin for Sexual Abuse
Donnie McClurkin, a Grammy-winning gospel artist and pastor, is currently facing a civil lawsuit in New York for allegedly sexually abusing a former congregant over several years starting in the early 2000s. The plaintiff, Giuseppe Corletto, claims that McClurkin engaged in a pattern of grooming, manipulation, and assault, which was tied to the plaintiff's struggle to reconcile his faith and sexuality. Corletto initially sought out McClurkin for mentorship after reading the singer's autobiography, which portrayed homosexuality as something to be overcome through religious devotion.
The lawsuit alleges that the abuse took place during spiritual counseling sessions aimed at changing Corletto's sexuality and escalated as he began working as McClurkin's assistant and traveling with him. Corletto felt unable to speak up due to the power imbalance, as McClurkin was both a religious leader and his employer. The plaintiff describes incidents at hotels during work trips and at McClurkin's church, where the singer allegedly used religious language and scripture to silence Corletto.
One significant claim in the lawsuit involves an email that McClurkin reportedly sent in 2013, apologizing for forcing Corletto into situations he had said no to and referring to himself as a "desperate dirty 'old man.'" Corletto says that finding this email years later helped him realize that he was not imagining the abuse. McClurkin, who is now 66, has denied the allegations through his attorney, stating that the claims are false and that the interactions have been misrepresented.
The case is being brought under New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which has extended the time frame for survivors to file civil claims. Corletto, who is now married and in a better place, acknowledges that his relationship with organized religion remains complex. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, resources such as the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline in the U.S. are available 24/7 for support and assistance.