Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, has been accused in a new lawsuit of sexually abusing a young man over several years and later apologizing in an email in which he described himself as a “dirty ‘old man.”
The plaintiff, Giuseppe Corletto, alleges that the abuse began after he sought spiritual guidance from McClurkin in 2003 while struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his Christian faith.
Corletto said he was drawn to McClurkin after reading his book, which described how the singer claimed God helped him overcome homosexuality.
“At first it was all very innocent and what I thought [was] mentoring,” Corletto told NBC News. He now believes he was groomed from the beginning.
According to the lawsuit, McClurkin began molesting Corletto during so-called “pray the gay away” sessions, with the abuse escalating over several years while Corletto worked as his assistant and traveled with him.
Corletto said he struggled to speak out because McClurkin was both his mentor and employer. “I thought I was to blame,” he said. “I was brainwashed to think that my deliverance was wrapped up in him.”
The lawsuit also cites an alleged sexual assault at a Niagara Falls hotel in 2013, after which McClurkin allegedly sent Corletto an apologetic email.
“I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man’,” McClurkin allegedly wrote. “I feel so foul…so stupid.”
McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, denied the allegations, describing them as “categorically false” and stating that McClurkin “at no time” engaged in sexual abuse or coercion.
Corletto said he suffered years of depression and suicidal thoughts before ultimately cutting ties with McClurkin and his church. He said discovering the email years later brought relief.
“I didn’t make this up. I wasn’t crazy,” Corletto said. “He’s literally admitting to his guilt.”
The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims.
Now married, Corletto says he has found peace after embracing his sexuality. “Ever since I did embrace my sexuality and stopped trying to change it, the weight of suicide has left me,” he said.
While his relationship with organized religion remains strained, Corletto said, “I found myself, my family, my peace.”
