A popular pastor and musician has been accused of sexually assaulting a young man who went to him for help. A new lawsuit claims that Donnie McClurkin abused the man during “pray the gay away” sessions. He is alleged to have written an apology email, in which he apparently called himself a “dirty old man.”
Donnie McClurkin is accused of sexually abusing a young man over several years
The alleged victim, Giuseppe Corletto, has filed a lawsuit against the pastor, reports NBC News. In it, he says he met McClurkin at a church event after reading his book which described how he had beat the “curse” of homosexuality.
In an interview with NBC News, Giuseppe explained that the pastor had “talked about being raped as a child, which resonated with me because that’s similar to my story.”
Giuseppe claims that McClurkin first sexually assaulted him during “pray the gay away” sessions. The lawsuit says the alleged abuse continued for years, with Giuseppe becoming the pastor’s personal assistant. One incident mentioned includes McClurkin allegedly raping Giuseppe in a hotel room while on a trip to California in 2007.
The lawsuit notes that Giuseppe “struggled to process these incidents of sexual abuse, as [McClurkin] was both his mentor and employer, making it difficult for him to speak out about the abuse he had suffered.”
The lawsuit also claims that McClurkin sent Giuseppe an email in 2013 apologizing for his behavior. It allegedly read: “I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man’, pawning and groping a young man who is just looking for a friendship and close plutonic relationship with someone he wants looks to for help, guidance and spirituality. I feel so foul…so stupid.”
McClurkin has won three Grammys and sold millions of albums. His album was included among Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things in 1996. He denies the claims. A statement from his attorney says the accusations are “categorically false.”
Support is available for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse: RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
