Lawsuit alleges Yankees' Mariano Rivera, wife Clara covered up sexual abuse of a minor

According to a New York lawsuit uncovered by the New York Daily News, iconic Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, as well as his wife Clara, are being accused of covering up the sexual abuse of a minor.

Rivera has served as the lead pastor of Refuge of Hope church in New Rochelle, NY in recent years, retiring from the game of baseball in 2013. Incidents of abuse reportedly occurred at both the church and the Riveras' home.

The complaint does not allege that Rivera and his wife were aware of abusive actions at the time they occurred, but does state plainly that the couple is accused of using intimidation tactics in the wake of the events to keep all parties involved quiet.

"Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe," the complaint notes, "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."

Clara Rivera purportedly spearheaded the victim to attend the aforementioned Ignite Life Summer Internship program, as part of her role running the day-to-day operations of the church her husband proselytizes at.

Yankees Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and wife Clara Rivera accused of covering up sexual abuse of a minor at Refuge of Hope Church (and family barbecue)

Notably, the lawsuit states that the abuse that began at the internship continued at the Riveras' former home in Westchester County during a barbecue. Neither Mariano nor Clara Rivera are accused of taking the abusive actions themselves, but are said to have done more than simply turn a blind eye by coercing the victim to keep the abuse private. The accused assailant is believed to be a much older minor girl, referred to as "MG" throughout the suit.

Word of the suit first emerged from Gainesville, Florida, where the summer internship program was housed. The suit was reportedly filed on Jan. 16, and the victim is demanding a trial by jury. More on this story surely to come as it develops.