A civil lawsuit filed in New York has placed Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin at the center of serious allegations that contrast sharply with his public image and decades-long ministry. The case has drawn national attention not only because of the nature of the claims, but also because of McClurkin’s influential role in American gospel music, faith leadership, and his outspoken views on sexuality.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it raises broader questions about power, faith, accountability, and the long-term impact of alleged abuse within religious spaces.
In This Post:
What the Civil Lawsuit Against Donnie McClurkin Alleges
The lawsuit was filed on January 2, 2026, in Manhattan Supreme Court under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, a statute that allows survivors to bring civil claims for alleged abuse that occurred years earlier. The law created a limited legal window for such cases, set to close in March 2025, though tolling agreements may extend eligibility.
The plaintiff, Giuseppe Corletto, alleges that McClurkin sexually abused, assaulted, and groomed him over nearly a decade, from approximately 2006 to 2015. Corletto claims the abuse began under the guise of spiritual counseling sessions meant to “pray the gay away” and escalated into repeated incidents of molestation, groping, and rape during church activities, private meetings, and work-related travel.
McClurkin, now 66, has categorically denied all allegations through his attorney.
Who Is Giuseppe Corletto and How the Relationship Began
Giuseppe Corletto first met Donnie McClurkin in 2003, when he was 21 years old. Corletto says he was drawn to McClurkin after reading the singer’s autobiography and attending a church event in Long Island, where McClurkin spoke publicly about surviving childhood sexual abuse.
Corletto, who also grew up poor in New York and had experienced sexual abuse by a relative as a child, says McClurkin’s story deeply resonated with him. What he initially believed to be a mentoring relationship rooted in shared trauma and faith is now described in the lawsuit as grooming from the outset.
In 2004, Corletto became McClurkin’s personal assistant, traveling with him extensively for ministry and music-related work.
Alleged Pattern of Abuse and Spiritual Manipulation
According to the complaint, the alleged abuse began around 2006 during private counseling sessions framed as spiritual guidance aimed at suppressing Corletto’s sexuality. Corletto claims McClurkin used biblical references, prayer, and religious authority to blur boundaries and maintain control.
The lawsuit details alleged assaults in multiple locations, including California, Florida, Boston, Niagara Falls, Atlantic City, Manhattan, and Long Island. One alleged rape in 2007 reportedly occurred in a California hotel while McClurkin’s girlfriend was present. Corletto says McClurkin later blamed him for the incident and cited medication-induced blackouts.
Even after Corletto quit his job in 2008, he claims McClurkin continued to pursue him, with further alleged assaults occurring through 2015.
The 2013 Email at the Center of the Case
A key piece of evidence cited in the lawsuit is a 2013 email allegedly sent by McClurkin to Corletto. In the message, McClurkin reportedly apologized for his behavior, referring to himself as:
“the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man’… groping a young man who is just looking for a friendship and close platonic relationship.”
The email allegedly includes admissions such as “I forced myself on you” despite Corletto’s refusals and expressions of feeling “foul” and “so stupid.”
Corletto says he rediscovered the email in 2025, which validated his memories and ultimately prompted him to file the lawsuit.
Psychological Impact and Damages Sought
Corletto is seeking unspecified monetary damages for emotional pain, physical injuries, psychological distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and a period of celibacy he attributes to the trauma.
He states that the alleged abuse led to severe depression, shame, confusion, and a suicide attempt in 2013. After that incident, he briefly returned to McClurkin’s church before ultimately cutting ties. Today, Corletto says he has embraced his sexuality, married, and found personal peace, though attending church remains emotionally difficult.
His attorney, Thomas Giuffra, says the lawsuit is about accountability, closure, and justice.
Donnie McClurkin’s Response and Legal Defense
McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, has firmly denied all allegations, calling them “categorically false” and “contradicted by the real facts.” The defense emphasizes that McClurkin never engaged in sexual abuse, assault, or coercion and argues that the claims, some dating back nearly two decades, are being mischaracterized.
As of January 6, 2026, no criminal charges have been filed. The case remains a civil matter.
Donnie McClurkin’s Life, Career, and Public Influence
Born Donald Andrew McClurkin Jr. on November 9, 1959, in Copiague, New York, McClurkin has spoken openly about a traumatic childhood marked by family loss, substance abuse, and sexual abuse by relatives.
He found refuge in the church and rose to prominence after forming the McClurkin Singers and the New York Restoration Choir. His solo career took off in 1996, aided by exposure from Oprah Winfrey. McClurkin has sold over 13 million albums worldwide, with iconic gospel songs such as Stand, We Fall Down, Speak to My Heart, and I Call You Faithful.
His accolades include three Grammy Awards, ten Stellar Awards, two BET Awards, two Soul Train Awards, a Dove Award, and an NAACP Image Award, earning him the title “Reigning King of Urban Gospel.”
Controversies Around Sexuality and Public Stance
McClurkin has long linked his childhood abuse to struggles with homosexuality, which he described in his 2001 autobiography Eternal Victim–Eternal Victor as a “curse” overcome through prayer and willpower. His outspoken opposition to homosexuality has sparked repeated backlash.
He was removed from a 2008 Obama campaign event, disinvited from the 2013 March on Washington anniversary, and publicly criticized the 2015 Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
These positions have fueled public discussion around the irony of the current allegations.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Coverage from outlets including NBC News, Billboard, The Grio, and EURweb has highlighted the contrast between McClurkin’s public “ex-gay” narrative and Corletto’s claims of abuse tied to spiritual authority.
On social media, reactions range from shock to calls for accountability, with many expressing heartbreak over the allegations’ impact on faith communities.
What Happens Next
The lawsuit against Donnie McClurkin remains ongoing, as the court has not yet issued a ruling. As the case proceeds, it will likely continue to spark conversations about consent, power dynamics in religious institutions, and how modern legal systems address decades-old allegations.
For many readers, however, the case concerns not only one prominent figure, but also the broader responsibility of institutions to protect vulnerable individuals—and the lasting consequences that follow when someone allegedly violates trust.
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