Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin has been sued for allegedly sexually abusing his former male personal assistant over more than a decade.
The civil lawsuit, filed Friday in New York County Supreme Court, names McClurkin, 66, as the defendant in claims including sexual assault and sexual battery. The accuser, identified as Giuseppe Corletto, alleges the abuse occurred repeatedly between 2004 and 2015. Court documents include a purported email from McClurkin apologizing for his actions, stating, “I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man.’”
McClurkin’s attorney, Gregory S. Lisi, denied the allegations. “At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto,” Lisi said. “The claims set forth in the lawsuit grossly mischaracterize their interactions… All these allegations are contradicted by the real facts.” He added that McClurkin intends to vigorously defend himself and will not comment further while litigation is ongoing.
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According to the lawsuit, Corletto met McClurkin in 2003 at a reading of the singer’s book, Eternal Victim, Eternal Victor, which recounts McClurkin’s personal experiences overcoming homosexuality. Corletto, then 21, later became the singer’s personal assistant. The complaint alleges a pattern of sexual misconduct, including groping during spiritual counseling sessions and assaults over the years in California, Orlando, and Niagara Falls.
Corletto claims he suffered emotional distress, physical pain, and lasting trauma, and is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages, and legal fees.