Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Donnie McClurkin is facing serious allegations of sexual abuse in a civil lawsuit filed last Friday, marking a significant legal challenge for one of contemporary gospel music’s most prominent figures.
Giuseppe Corletto has brought forward sexual assault and battery claims against the 66-year-old minister and recording artist, alleging a pattern of abuse that reportedly occurred between 2007 and 2015. The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of alleged manipulation and coercion within a pastoral relationship that began when Corletto joined McClurkin’s Perfecting Faith Church on Long Island in 2003.
According to court documents, Corletto was 21 years old when he first sought guidance from McClurkin, who was then 44. The younger man reportedly turned to the pastor after reading McClurkin’s writings about overcoming homosexuality, seeking help as he struggled with his own sexuality. What began as a spiritual mentorship allegedly evolved into an employment relationship when McClurkin hired Corletto as a personal assistant, leading to frequent travel together.
The lawsuit details multiple alleged incidents across several states. Corletto claims the first assault occurred in 2007 at a California hotel, followed by similar incidents during business trips to Atlantic City, Manhattan, and at McClurkin’s Long Island residence over the subsequent two years. Despite attempting to resign multiple times, Corletto alleges he was pressured to remain in McClurkin’s employment through spiritual manipulation, with the pastor reportedly telling him his personal transformation and life purpose were connected to their relationship.
Even after Corletto reportedly left his employment in 2008, the lawsuit alleges additional assaults occurred in 2012 in Florida, twice in 2013 in Boston and Niagara Falls, and a final incident in 2015.
Perhaps most striking is an image of what appears to be a 2013 email included in the court filing. In the message, the sender—allegedly McClurkin—appears to acknowledge inappropriate behavior and apologize. The email writer describes himself as someone who groped a young man seeking friendship and spiritual guidance, admitting to forcing himself on someone who did not reciprocate his desires.
McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, has issued a forceful rebuttal of the allegations. In a statement to Billboard, Lisi characterized Corletto’s claims as both false and contradictory to facts, asserting that McClurkin never engaged in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or coercion.
Lisi contends that the lawsuit misrepresents interactions that spanned more than a decade, with some allegations reaching back over twenty years. Notably, the attorney has not directly addressed the purported email evidence presented in the filing.
Donnie McClurkin has been a towering figure in gospel music for decades, with three Grammy Awards to his name and a string of chart-topping albums and singles. His influence extends beyond music into ministry, where he has served as a spiritual leader to thousands of congregants.
McClurkin has been publicly vocal about his own struggles with sexuality, advocating for what he describes as spiritual deliverance from homosexuality—a stance that has made him a controversial figure in LGBTQ advocacy circles but resonated with certain religious communities.
This lawsuit arrives amid broader cultural conversations about abuse of power within religious institutions and the specific vulnerabilities faced by individuals seeking spiritual guidance while questioning their sexual identity.
Corletto is seeking unspecified financial damages, citing lasting emotional distress, physical pain, and what the lawsuit describes as a loss of enjoyment of life stemming from the alleged abuse. The civil case will now proceed through the court system, where both sides will have the opportunity to present evidence and testimony.
As with all allegations, McClurkin is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the burden will fall on Corletto’s legal team to substantiate the claims made in the complaint. The case is likely to draw significant attention given McClurkin’s prominence and the serious nature of the accusations.
Neither party has indicated whether they would be open to a settlement, setting the stage for what could be a protracted legal battle in the months ahead.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Gospel superstar Donnie McClurkin faces a civil lawsuit alleging he sexually abused a former congregant and personal assistant over nearly a decade (2007-2015). The case includes what appears to be a 2013 email where McClurkin seemingly admits to and apologizes for the misconduct, though its authenticity hasn’t been independently verified. McClurkin’s attorney strongly denies all allegations, calling them “categorically false.”
