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Three-time Grammy-winning gospel icon and pastor Donnie McClurkin is facing a serious legal battle after a former personal assistant filed a lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual abuse and rape. The complaint, filed in January 2026, in New York County Supreme Court, alleges that the abuse was carried out under the guise of spiritual mentorship and “deliverance” from homosexuality.
The plaintiff, identified as Giuseppe Corletto, claims he first sought out McClurkin at his Perfecting Faith Church in Long Island, New York, in 2003. Corletto, who was 21 at the time and struggling to reconcile his faith with his sexuality, alleges he was drawn to McClurkin after reading the pastor’s autobiography, which describes overcoming the “curse” of homosexuality through prayer. According to the lawsuit, McClurkin assured Corletto he would help “deliver” him through specialized spiritual sessions.
The legal filing alleges that the misconduct began during these “pray the gay away” sessions, during which McClurkin allegedly groped Corletto without his consent. The abuse reportedly escalated over several years as Corletto became McClurkin’s personal assistant and traveled with him internationally. The complaint details harrowing incidents, including an alleged rape at a hotel in Niagara Falls in 2013. Corletto further claims that McClurkin used his position as both a mentor and employer to guilt him into staying whenever he attempted to resign.
A central piece of evidence cited in the lawsuit is an alleged apology email sent by McClurkin to Corletto. In the message, the pastor reportedly described himself as the “epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man’” and admitted to “pawning and groping a young man who is just looking for a friendship and close platonic relationship.” McClurkin allegedly added, “I feel so foul… so stupid.”
McClurkin’s legal team has moved quickly to dismiss the allegations. His attorney, Greg Lisi, issued a statement on January 6, 2026, calling the claims “categorically false” and asserting that the interactions have been “grossly mischaracterized.” Lisi stated that McClurkin intends to “vigorously defend” himself against the lawsuit.
The case has sparked intense debate over the practice of conversion therapy and the accountability of high-profile religious leaders. McClurkin has long been a polarizing figure due to his public claims of being “delivered” from same-sex attraction, which he often attributes to childhood trauma. For Corletto, the lawsuit is described by his attorney as a pursuit of “some measure of justice” for the emotional and physical harm endured during a decade of alleged exploitation.
