Grammy-Winning Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin Accused of Sexually Abusing Former Assistant in New Lawsuit

A man has filed a lawsuit against gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin, alleging he was sexually assaulted over a period of years.

Giuseppe Corletto claimed in a lawsuit filed Friday, Jan. 2, in New York County Supreme Court and obtained by the publication that McClurkin, 66, sexually abused him for several years after they first met in 2003.

McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, said in a statement that the allegations were “categorically false.”

“At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto,” the attorney said. “The claims set forth in the lawsuit grossly mischaracterize their interactions, which occurred over a decade, and some accusations over 2 decades, ago. All these allegations are contradicted by the real facts.”

“Pastor McClurkin denies each and every allegation of wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend against this lawsuit through the appropriate legal process. As this is now active litigation, Pastor McClurkin will not be commenting further at this time,” he added.

The publication also reached out to McClurkin’s church, Perfecting Faith Church, for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

In the complaint, Corletto alleged that he sought out McClurkin at the pastor’s church in Long Island, New York, in 2003 for guidance while struggling with his faith. He claimed McClurkin assured him he would help “deliver him from homosexuality.”

Corletto said the two developed a mentor-mentee relationship and that he later worked as McClurkin’s personal assistant. During that time, he alleged, McClurkin held “pray the gay away” spiritual sessions in which he groped him without consent.

Corletto claimed the alleged abuse continued for the next six years, including incidents that he said occurred at the church before McClurkin preached. He also alleged that he reported the situation to church staff members, but that no action was taken.

Corletto “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 stated.

He further alleged that he resigned from the church in 2008, despite claims that McClurkin pressured him to stay by tying his “deliverance” and “purpose” to the singer. Corletto also claimed that after he left, McClurkin tracked him down and assaulted him.

Corletto alleged in the filing that after one incident at a Niagara Falls hotel in 2013, McClurkin emailed an apology that was included in the complaint, referring to himself as the “epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man.’” Corletto also claimed he became suicidal and depressed afterward, briefly returned to the church, and later cut off all contact with McClurkin.

Corletto’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, told NBC News that he hoped the lawsuit would help his client find “some measure of justice for what happened to him.” He added that he believed McClurkin “took advantage” of someone who was “confused and had problems accepting his sexuality, coupled with his religious beliefs.”

McClurkin is known for songs including “Stand” and “We Fall Down.” He rose to prominence in 1996 with his self-titled album, which earned a Grammy nomination and drew attention from high-profile fans, including Oprah Winfrey. He later won Grammy awards in 2004, 2006 and 2010.