Just this past Monday, January 5, news broke across the internet that Donnie McClurkin was facing a civil court complaint. The lawsuit, filed on January 2 in New York County Supreme Court by Giuseppe Corletto, claims years of coercion and sexual assault allegedly occurred during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Corletto, who previously worked as a personal assistant and was a congregant at McClurkin’s Perfecting Faith Church in Long Island, asserts that the pastor exploited his homosexuality under the guise of counseling him, coercing him into sexual acts against his will.
McClurkin didn’t stay silent for long. On Wednesday, January 7, he released an official statement on Instagram through his attorney, Gregory S. Lisi, labeling the allegations “contrived and untrue.” He shared:
“With all humility, faith, and deep respect for Christ and this global gospel music and ministry community which has shaped my life, my calling, and my character; I address this letter! Many of you are aware of the profane allegations of sexual assault/rape and coercion that have been recently lodged against me. I want to state clearly and unequivocally that these allegations are contrived and untrue~!
I understand the weight of such false claims, especially in our community rooted in faith, trust, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. And Sexual violence, in any form, is a real and painful reality for many and not to be used frivolously. True Survivors deserve to be heard, protected, and supported! At the same time, the TRUTH matters! And the TRUTH has not been told~!
And though I know many have already formed their opinions based on initial belief and controversy as we are apt to do with something of this false nature… I ask that this community exercises patience and trust in God’s timing for the truth to fully come to light.
I have always sought to conduct myself with integrity, transparency, godly care, and responsibility in the fulfillment of my christian life and duties. This accusation of salacious engagement or ANY misconduct that harmed, exploited or took advantage of anyone and misused my position, leadership, or influence in any way in these false accusations is emphatically untrue.
My love for and walk with Christ means everything to me and is deeply sensitive and sacred.I live to please Him….. which is why it is essential that the facts be established carefully, responsibly, and fairly.
Although I have NOT yet been SERVED with the official legal complaint, I am proactively cooperating fully with the appropriate processes and will vigorously defend to the fullest against this defamatory and baseless lawsuit. I am confident that when the truth is fully known, I will be vindicated. Please pray for the accuser, as well…seriously and sincerely~! I thank everyone for their continued prayers, support, and faith. God bless you all. It’s gonna get BETTER AFTERWHILE~! Sincerely in Christ Donnie McClurkin.”
Days later, on Saturday, January 10, a video circulated showing McClurkin speaking directly to the allegations again. He reiterated his denials, emphasizing, “You have not heard the truth, but you will.” Here’s what he had to say:
“I just wanted to address something personally. You’ve heard a lot that’s been going on. You’ve heard many different accusations lodged and alleged. You’ve heard some very untrue things. And you’ve also seen an official statement that I put out. But I wanted to lend my voice and my face to this. And I wanted to let you know that I thank God for everyone who’s been praying for me and for the support. And I thank God for a truth, which you have not heard. You have not heard the truth, but you will.
But I just didn’t want to go any longer without addressing it. I’ve remained silent while this campaign, this media campaign, was lodged. I’ve remained silent because the Bible tells you to be slow to speak. Slow to speak, quick to hear, and slow to anger. And so, I had to sit back and I had to pray because there are people that look for this to be true. There are people that have already formed their opinion based on the strategic approach of defamation that’s gone forward.
But I just want to let you all know from my mouth to you, from my heart to yours, that it’s unfortunate that — I’m trying to be delicate, trying to be delicate — such allegations have been lodged. I don’t understand the machinations of the young man’s mind. He’s not young really, he’s 40-some-odd-years-old. But I haven’t seen this fellow in over — well now it’s 11 years, since 2015. And I haven’t spoken to him since that long either.
But people do things for different reasons and most of them are monetarily motivated. And it’s a shame because to consider yourself or to proclaim yourself to be a victim of something that didn’t happen discredits the people that it has happened to. And it’s a shame. But the one thing that I do know is that truth will always prevail. And the disturbed minds of other people cannot prohibit the truth from speaking loudly. Although a lie is very loud and boisterous and quick, the truth is very slow walking. And it takes a moment but it comes to the foreground.
I just wanted to let you all know, although this has caused much controversy and it’s caused people to formulate opinions and it’s caused people to vilify and to ridicule, the one thing that I can say is I’ve tried my best throughout all these years to be transparent. I’ve tried my best and held up the standard of Christ as best I can. Flawed in many ways sometimes but transparent. And I transparently tell you that this is all fabricated and untrue. And I’m praying for the gentleman. I’m praying for the gentleman, that he would regain some kind of lucid thought and give his life to the Lord, really. And just keep me in your prayers. And that’s as far as I want to go with this.
And it’s circulated through all of the major media markets. And I didn’t want to go to NBC and TMZ and PEOPLE Magazine and all the other places that it’s been heralded. I wanted to come straight to you. And the best way to do so is through this social media. So, know this from my heart to yours — this is going to be quite interesting. But God knows and I rely on the Lord. I rely on the Lord to bring all things to the light. And the one thing I’ve never done is the things that I’ve been accused of — ever in my life have I done that. So, keep me in your prayers. I’m going out to prayer at 7 o’clock. And you heard it from me now. I love you all. And the blood of Jesus keep you all covered. God bless you.”
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