WESTCHESTER, NY – The child sexual abuse coverup lawsuit against the lead pastors of Refuge of Hope (ROH) Church, Mariano and Clara Rivera, is still pending. The lawsuit states they traveled to affiliated church Ignite Life Center (ILC) in Gainesville, Florida, and intimidated a child sexual abuse victim not to report abuse by an older minor identified as MG, and then covered up more sexual abuse against her at their former estate by an ROH pastor’s son, Ruben Tavarez Jr.
According to a court document filed on December 23, 2025, one or more attorneys representing the plaintiff will conduct a site inspection of ROH on February 17. The document states the plaintiff and the Riveras will have pretrial examinations (EBT) this month as well. Horowitz Law Firm attorney Jessica Arbour, representing the plaintiff, told GnvInfo that ROH will be deposed through a corporate representative to testify on behalf of the Church.
The Riveras have denied covering up child sexual abuse.
The lawsuit regards counts of negligent supervision and premises liability.
Harrison Police Department Report:…