Lawsuit Alleges Years of Abuse and Cites Apologetic Email as Evidence
A new civil lawsuit has been filed against renowned American gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin, alleging that he sexually abused a young male congregant over a period spanning nearly a decade.
The complaint, filed on Friday, January 2, was brought by a man identified as Giuseppe Corletto, who claims McClurkin sexually assaulted and raped him repeatedly between 2007 and 2015. The lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault and sexual battery.
According to court documents, Corletto alleges the first incident occurred in 2007 at a hotel in California, where McClurkin allegedly forced him into oral and anal sex. The lawsuit further claims similar incidents occurred over the next two years during trips to Atlantic City, New Jersey, Manhattan, and at McClurkin’s residence on Long Island.
A key piece of evidence cited in the complaint is an image of what appears to be a 2013 email allegedly sent by McClurkin to Corletto. In the email, McClurkin appears to acknowledge inappropriate behavior and expresses remorse.
“I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man’… groping a young man who is just looking for a friendship and close plutonic [sic] relationship with someone he looks to for help, guidance and spirituality,” the email reportedly reads.
“You don’t have that desire for me and I shouldn’t have it for you. I forced myself on you.”
As of the time of filing, Donnie McClurkin has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The allegations remain unproven, and the case will be determined through the legal process.
McClurkin, a multiple Grammy Award–winning gospel artist, is widely known for chart-topping songs and his influence within Christian communities worldwide, including Ghana. The lawsuit has sparked intense debate online, particularly around issues of spiritual authority, accountability, and abuse within religious spaces.
The case is ongoing.
