Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin, one of the most influential voices in contemporary Christian music, is facing a civil lawsuit that has sent shockwaves through both the faith community and the music industry. Filed on January 2, 2026, in New York, the lawsuit accuses McClurkin of grooming and sexually abusing Giuseppe Corletto, a former congregant and personal assistant, over the course of nearly a decade. The allegations, which McClurkin and his legal team strongly deny, have ignited a broader conversation about abuse, spiritual authority, and accountability within gospel circles.
According to court documents cited by Billboard, NBC News, and EURweb, the roots of the case stretch back to 2003. That year, a 21-year-old Corletto attended a church event in Long Island, New York, after reading McClurkin’s autobiographical book—a work that details the singer’s own struggles with sexuality and his belief in deliverance through faith. Corletto, himself wrestling with reconciling his sexuality and his Christian beliefs, sought guidance from McClurkin, who was 44 at the time and already an established figure in the gospel world.
Corletto alleges that what began as spiritual mentorship quickly evolved into something far more insidious. The lawsuit claims McClurkin initiated “pray the gay away” sessions—ostensibly designed to help Corletto reject his same-sex attractions. These sessions, according to the complaint, included inappropriate touching, molestation, and ultimately escalated to sexual abuse. The abuse is alleged to have occurred in a variety of locations, including hotels in California, New York City, Boston, Florida, and Niagara Falls, as well as McClurkin’s home on Long Island.
As reported by Billboard, the first incident of alleged assault took place in 2007, when Corletto claims McClurkin forced him to engage in oral and anal sex in a California hotel room. Over the following years, similar incidents reportedly happened during work-related travel and at McClurkin’s residence. Corletto, who was hired as McClurkin’s personal assistant, says he often traveled with the gospel star, sharing close quarters and, he alleges, enduring repeated abuse.
The lawsuit describes a pattern of emotional manipulation and spiritual coercion. Corletto says he attempted to quit working for McClurkin multiple times, but was persuaded to stay by assurances that his “deliverance” and “purpose” were tied to McClurkin’s guidance. Even after Corletto left his job in 2008, the two remained in each other’s professional circles. The complaint alleges that McClurkin sought Corletto out again in 2012, leading to further incidents of sexual misconduct in Florida, Boston, and Niagara Falls through 2015.
One of the most explosive pieces of evidence in the case is an alleged 2013 email from McClurkin to Corletto. The message, which has been cited in filings and reported by Billboard and NBC News, appears to show McClurkin expressing guilt and self-loathing over his actions. “I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty 'old man'…groping a young man who is just looking for a friendship and close platonic relationship with someone he looks to for help, guidance and spirituality,” the email reportedly reads. “You don’t have that desire for me and I shouldn’t have it for you. I forced myself on you.” The email continues, “I feel so foul... so stupid.”
The authenticity of this email has not been independently verified by any of the outlets reporting on the case. Nevertheless, the message is a central pillar of Corletto’s claim, with the plaintiff stating that discovering the apology brought a sense of validation to his experience. The lawsuit, filed under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, seeks unspecified financial damages and aims to provide accountability and closure for Corletto, who says he has suffered lasting emotional and physical harm.
Donnie McClurkin, now 66, has categorically denied all allegations. His attorney, Greg Lisi, issued a strong public statement rejecting the claims as “categorically false.” Lisi told Billboard and EURweb, “At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto. The claims set forth in the lawsuit grossly mischaracterize their interactions, which occurred over a decade, and some accusations over two decades ago.” Lisi further emphasized that the case “distorts a long-past relationship and paints it inaccurately.”
The lawsuit is civil, not criminal, and no court has yet ruled on the validity of the claims. As the case proceeds through the legal system, it remains to be seen what evidence will be deemed credible and how the courts will ultimately rule. For now, the allegations remain just that—allegations, albeit ones with potentially seismic implications for McClurkin’s career and legacy.
The reverberations of the lawsuit extend far beyond McClurkin himself. As EURweb notes, the case arrives amid a broader reckoning within the gospel and Christian music communities, where accusations of abuse and misconduct by spiritual leaders have surfaced with increasing frequency. In 2025, Michael Tait, another high-profile gospel artist, faced multiple accusations of grooming and unwanted advances. The late James Cleveland, a legendary gospel musician, was sued posthumously in 1992 for sexual abuse. Critics argue that the gospel industry has long struggled with issues of accountability, often allowing spiritual authority and the language of healing to mask and enable abuse.
The McClurkin lawsuit also brings renewed scrutiny to the intersection of faith and sexuality. McClurkin has been an outspoken critic of homosexuality, frequently attributing his own same-sex attractions to the trauma of childhood abuse and advocating for deliverance through prayer. These beliefs have been central to his ministry, but they are now at the heart of the lawsuit’s claims. Corletto alleges that the very “pray the gay away” sessions that built McClurkin’s platform were used as a pretext for exploitation, blurring the lines between spiritual care and control.
Supporters of McClurkin point to his decades of ministry, his Grammy-winning music, and his testimony of personal transformation as evidence of his positive impact. They argue that his story has helped countless people struggling with faith and identity. Critics, meanwhile, insist that abuse allegations—especially those involving spiritual leaders—must be taken seriously, regardless of the accused’s stature or past good works.
As the case moves forward, it is likely to prompt difficult conversations within churches and the wider gospel community about power, vulnerability, and the need for robust safeguards. Whether the lawsuit leads to a legal finding of wrongdoing or not, its impact is already being felt, forcing fans, congregants, and industry leaders to confront uncomfortable truths about the interplay of faith, authority, and accountability.
The story of Donnie McClurkin and Giuseppe Corletto is far from over. As the legal process unfolds, the questions it raises—about trust, trauma, and the responsibilities of spiritual leaders—will continue to challenge the gospel world and beyond.
