Gospel music icon and pastor Donnie McClurkin has been named in a newly filed civil lawsuit alleging years of sexual abuse, according to court documents filed in the New York Supreme Court.

More Details Behind Donnie McClurkin’s New Civil Lawsuit

According to NBC News, the lawsuit was filed by Giuseppe Corletto, who claims he met McClurkin in 2003 when he was 21 at a church event in Long Island after reading the singer’s autobiography and seeking spiritual guidance. Corletto alleges that what he believed to be mentorship and pastoral counseling later turned into inappropriate sexual conduct.

Corletto claims McClurkin groomed and sexually abused him over a span of several years. The lawsuit alleges the incidents occurred during the “pray the gay away” private counseling sessions, work-related travel, and while Corletto was employed as McClurkin’s assistant.

“At first it was all very innocent and what I thought was mentoring,” Corletto told NBC News, adding that he now believes he was groomed.”

The filing further claims the alleged abuse took place in multiple states, including New York, Florida, and New Jersey, and that McClurkin’s spiritual authority and professional influence made it difficult for Corletto to come forward at the time.

Court documents also reference an alleged 2013 email in which McClurkin reportedly apologized for his behavior, calling himself a “dirty ‘old man’” and writing, “I feel so foul…so stupid.”

McClurkin, 66, has denied all allegations. His attorney released a statement calling the claims “categorically false” and stating that McClurkin never engaged in sexual misconduct or abuse as alleged.

Donnie McClurkin Addresses Sexual Misconduct Allegations

McClurkin addressed sexual misconduct allegations on January 10, 2025 after previously issuing a public statement. You can read his statement HERE

Corletto is seeking unspecified monetary damages for emotional distress and related harm.