Donnie McClurkin, the Grammy-winning gospel artist and pastor known for hits like “We Fall Down,” is facing serious allegations of sexual assault in a new lawsuit obtained by NBC News. The lawsuit, filed by Giuseppe Corletto, accuses McClurkin of sexually assaulting him over a decade while acting as both his spiritual mentor and employer. It also features an alleged email in which McClurkin referred to himself as a “dirty old man.”

Corletto claims that the abuse began after he sought McClurkin's help in 2003 at the age of 21, struggling with his own sexuality and faith. He visited McClurkin's Long Island, N.Y. church, Perfecting Faith Church, after reading the pastor's autobiography that described how McClurkin overcame what he called the “curse” of homosexuality.

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During a church event, McClurkin discussed his own experiences with sexual assault, which resonated with Corletto, who felt his story mirrored McClurkin's. What he initially perceived as a supportive mentorship has since been reinterpreted by him as grooming.

Giuseppe Corletto Alleges McClurkin Abused Him At His “Pray The Gay Away” Sessions

The lawsuit claims McClurkin began molesting Corletto during the “pray the gay away” spiritual sessions, with the abuse escalating over the years. Corletto became McClurkin's assistant in 2004 and traveled frequently with him. According to the complaint, the alleged abuse progressed from inappropriate touching to rape during trips, including an incident in California in 2007.

When confronted, McClurkin allegedly claimed he was on medication and did not recall the events. The lawsuit states,

“McClurkin further manipulated [Corletto], blaming him for the incident and convincing him that he was the sole culpable party.”

Corletto struggled to process these instances of abuse, feeling a unique conflict as McClurkin was both his mentor and employer.

McClurkin Allegedly Apologized For His Actions Via Email

Following another alleged assault in 2013 at a Niagara Falls hotel, Corletto claims McClurkin sent an apologetic email, stating,

“I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man,’”
according to the lawsuit. He continued,
“I feel so foul…so stupid.”

Corletto later described discovering the email in 2025 as a validating experience after years of guilt.

“I didn’t make this up. I wasn’t crazy,”
he said.
“I felt vindicated in some ways…He’s literally admitting to his guilt.”

The Gospel Singer Denies All Allegations

Now 66, McClurkin has denied all allegations through his attorney.

“At no time did Pastor McClurkin engage in any form of sexual abuse, assault, or sexual coercion of Mr. Corletto,”
said attorney Greg Lisi in a statement.
“The claims set forth in the lawsuit grossly mischaracterize their interactions, which occurred over a decade, and some accusations over 2 decades ago.”

In his 2001 book Eternal Victim–Eternal Victor, McClurkin discussed being sexually abused by his uncle at age eight, linking that trauma to his sexuality.

Corletto’s lawsuit was filed under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which has prolonged the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims. Although standard filings closed in March 2025, some cases have continued through tolling agreements that extend deadlines.

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