Why is Donnie McClurkin facing a sexual abuse lawsuit? Grammy-winning gospel singer accused of alleged misconduct spanning years

Donnie McClurkin, the Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor, is facing a new lawsuit alleging years of s*xual abuse.

According to a lawsuit filed on Jan. 2 in New York, the victim, a former follower named Giuseppe Corletto, initially sought mentorship at McClurkin's Long Island church, only to later allege that the guidance turned into years of s*xual exploitation.

The report states that Giuseppe Corletto, 21 at the time, met the 44-year-old Donnie McClurkin in 2003 at an event in Perfecting Faith Church after he read a book about overcoming homosexuality through God.

However, the former follower claims that the Gospel icon took an interest in him and that the pastor utilized their faith-based counselling sessions to "pray the gay away" for his s*xual misconduct, citing inappropriate touching and molestation.

Over the next several years, Corletto alleges that the sessions escalated into full s*xual abuse and r*pe that took place in various places, such as hotel rooms and homes, as well as travel destinations like New York City, California, Boston, Niagara Falls, and Florida.

The victim, who took on the role of Donnie McClurkin's personal assistant, cites in the report that the two of them traveled often and shared close quarters. He also alleges that the Gospel singer coerced him into engaging in oral and a*al s*x from 2007 to 2015.

According to Corletto, the alleged abuse caused him lasting emotional and physical harm. He also says that he had attempted to leave but was forced into staying through spiritual manipulation.

Donnie McClurkin's 2013 email emerges as key evidence in Giuseppe Corletto lawsuit

The Donnie McClurkin lawsuit includes a photo of what appears to be an email from the pastor in 2013, where he apologizes and admits to the misdeed. There, McClurkin addresses himself as a "desperate dirty old man," adding:

"I forced myself on you."

The email was reportedly sent to Giuseppe Corletto following an incident at a Niagara Falls hotel. The message's authenticity remains unclear, but it plays a crucial role in the Donnie McClurkin lawsuit.

Corletto also seeks an unspecified amount of financial damages.

Meanwhile, McClurkin, a three-time Grammy Award winner with multiple No. 1 gospel hits, has strongly denied the severe allegations of s*xual abuse through his legal representative, Greg Lisi. The attorney wrote in a public statement:

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"At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of s*xual abuse, assault, or s*xual coercion of Mr. Corletto. The claims set forth in the lawsuit grossly mischaracterize their interactions."

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