Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin is facing a civil lawsuit in the United States accusing him of sexual abuse and misconduct, allegations he has strongly denied through his legal representatives.
The lawsuit was filed on January 2, 2026, at the New York County Supreme Court by a former personal assistant identified in court documents as Giuseppe Corletto.
The plaintiff alleges that McClurkin sexually abused him over several years while also serving as his spiritual mentor.
According to the complaint, Corletto claims he first met McClurkin in 2003 after seeking spiritual guidance, inspired by the gospel singer’s public testimony and autobiography.
The lawsuit states that McClurkin later employed Corletto as a personal assistant in 2004, a role that allegedly placed him in close proximity to the singer during travel, church activities and private counselling sessions.
The plaintiff alleges that the relationship evolved into one marked by sexual assault, coercion and inappropriate conduct, which he claims occurred in various locations, including McClurkin’s church, hotel rooms during ministry trips, and private residences.
The lawsuit further alleges that McClurkin used his position as a pastor and spiritual authority to exert influence over him.
Court filings claim that some of the alleged incidents occurred during what were described as spiritual counselling sessions, including meetings aimed at addressing sexuality and faith.
The plaintiff alleges that the misconduct continued for years, even after he attempted to distance himself from McClurkin both professionally and personally.
The lawsuit also references an email allegedly sent by McClurkin in 2013, in which the singer is said to have apologised for his behaviour.
The email is cited in the filing as evidence supporting the plaintiff’s claims.
In addition, the suit alleges that some church staff were informed of certain incidents at the time but failed to take effective action.
The alleged abuse is said to have occurred in multiple U.S. states, including New York, California, Florida, and Massachusetts, with some claims extending as late as 2015, according to the complaint.
McClurkin’s legal team has categorically denied all allegations.
In a statement issued shortly after the lawsuit was filed, his attorney described the claims as false and said they mischaracterise events that occurred many years ago.
“This lawsuit contains allegations that are untrue and deeply damaging,” the statement said, adding that McClurkin denies engaging in any form of sexual abuse or misconduct.
The case was filed under New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which allows certain civil claims related to sexual abuse to be brought outside traditional statutes of limitations.
The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages, legal fees and other relief.
McClurkin, 66, is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary gospel music.
He rose to international fame in the late 1990s with songs such as We Fall Down, Stand, Great Is Your Mercy and Where Would I Be.
His music has been widely used in churches around the world, and he has won multiple Grammy Awards, Stellar Awards and Dove Awards.
Beyond music, McClurkin is the founder and senior pastor of Perfecting Faith Church International, based in Freeport, New York, where he has led a large congregation for decades.
His ministry and personal testimony have played a central role in his public image.