Grammy-winning Gospel Singer, Donnie McClurkin, Sued for Sexual Abuse
Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin is facing a civil lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual abuse and grooming of a young man who once looked to him for spiritual guidance. The lawsuit, filed in New York on Jan. 2, 2026, has drawn widespread attention, given McClurkin’s prominence in contemporary gospel music and ministry, and comes with vehement denials from his legal team.
Lawsuit Filed in New York
A man identified as Giuseppe Corletto filed the lawsuit against McClurkin in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleging that what began as spiritual mentorship evolved into alleged sexual abuse over many years. According to an article from K-Jewel 99.3 FM, “Corletto alleges McClurkin, who was 44 years old at the time, began helping him to ‘pray the gay away’ and eventually hired him as a personal assistant. The two started traveling together on business, and, according to the complaint, McClurkin began sexually assaulting Corletto.” Corletto says he first sought out McClurkin’s guidance in 2003 when he was 21 and struggling with reconciling his sexuality with his Christian faith.
According to the civil complaint, Corletto first became McClurkin’s personal assistant in 2004, and the male singer allegedly began to groom and sexually abuse him during prayer sessions and on work-related travels across multiple states, including California and New Jersey, from 2007 to 2015.
Allegations of Grooming and Abuse
The lawsuit paints a detailed picture of a long-term relationship that blurred spiritual mentorship with personal dependency and alleged abuse. Corletto alleges that during private prayer or deliverance sessions intended to address his same-sex attractions, McClurkin engaged in inappropriate touching that gradually escalated into forced sexual encounters.
Corletto’s complaint claims that McClurkin would “coerce” him into sexual activity during travel, in hotel rooms, and at private residences. One incident cited occurred in a California hotel room in 2007, where Corletto alleges McClurkin forced him to engage in sexual acts, which he says repeated on several occasions over the following years.
Corletto also alleges that attempts to leave his role were met with spiritual pressure and manipulation. “Defendant…denied plaintiff’s requests, further coercing him to stay by telling plaintiff that his ‘deliverance’ and ‘purpose’ were tied to defendant,” the lawsuit states.
Email Cited as Evidence
One of the most controversial elements of the lawsuit is a purported 2013 email from McClurkin to Corletto, which is included in the court filings. According to NBC News, the message stated:
“‘I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man’,’ he allegedly wrote in the message, according to the lawsuit, ‘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 have no one…and i feel it more than ever…but I was horribly wrong trying to force you into something that you were consistently saying no to,” McClurkin added, according to the lawsuit. ‘I am too old to be like this.’”
Corletto said discovering the email in 2025 was a pivotal moment in his understanding of the relationship. “I didn’t make this up. I wasn’t crazy,” he told NBC News, adding, “I felt vindicated in some ways… He’s literally admitting to his guilt.”
Denials from Donnie McClurkin’s Team
McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “categorically false” and a mischaracterization of past interactions with Corletto. In a statement reported by NBC News, Lisi said, “At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto.” Lisi added that the lawsuit distorts interactions that occurred over a decade ago and that the claims are contradicted by what his legal team describes as the real facts of McClurkin’s relationship with Corletto.
Broader Context and Reactions
McClurkin, 66, is a respected figure in gospel music, having sold millions of albums and won multiple Grammy Awards throughout his career. He also serves as the senior pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York. The allegations have sparked intense discussion in both religious and music communities, given McClurkin’s longstanding influence and outspoken views on faith and sexuality. The lawsuit is filed under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which extends the civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases, and seeks unspecified monetary damages and accountability.
As the legal process unfolds, both supporters and critics are closely watching the case, which raises questions about power dynamics in spiritual leadership and the handling of sexual abuse allegations within religious organizations. The lawsuit has not been tested in court, and the sexual abuse allegations remain legally unproven at this stage.
