Grammy-Winning Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin Accused of Sexually Abusing Former Assistant in New Lawsuit By Kimberlee Speakman

A lawsuit has been filed against Donnie McClurkin by a man who alleged that the gospel singer assaulted him for years. 

Giuseppe Corletto claimed in a lawsuit filed on Friday, Jan. 2, in New York County Supreme Court and obtained by PEOPLE that the singer and pastor, 66, sexually abused him for several years after their first meeting in 2003.

McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, told PEOPLE in a statement that the claims made in the lawsuit were “categorically false.”

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

“Pastor McClurkin denies each and every allegation of wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend against this lawsuit through the appropriate legal process. As this is now active litigation, Pastor McClurkin will not be commenting further at this time,” he added.

PEOPLE has also reached out to McClurkin’s church, Perfecting Faith Church, for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Corletto claimed in his complaint that he “sought out” McClurkin in 2003 at his church in Long Island, New York for “guidance” after struggling with his sexuality and faith, and alleged that the gospel singer “assured him” that he would “help deliver him from homosexuality.”

He said that he and McClurkin had “developed a mentor-mentee relationship,” and he began working as his personal assistant. However, during his employment, Corletto alleges in the complaint that the pastor held a “pray the gay away” spiritual sessions, where he “groped” him without his consent.

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Corletto claimed in the complaint that this sexual abuse continued over the next “six” years, including at the church before the pastor preached. He further claimed in the filing that he had spoken to the church’s staff members about the alleged abuse, but “no action was taken.”

Corletto “struggled to process these incidents of sexual abuse, as [McClurkin] was both his mentor and employer, making it difficult for him to speak out about the abuse he had suffered,” the lawsuit stated.

He also claimed in the filing that he resigned from the church in 2008, despite McClurkin allegedly “coercing him to stay” by noting that his “deliverance” and “purpose” was tied to the gospel singer, but he said in the complaint that the pastor tracked him down and assaulted him.

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Corletto further alleges in the complaint that after one such alleged assault from McClurkin at a Niagara Falls hotel in 2013, McClurkin wrote him an email apologizing for his actions — which was included in the filing — in which he described himself as the “epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man.’” Corletto further claimed that he became suicidal and depressed following the assault and returned to the church briefly before finally cutting off all contact with McClurkin.

Corletto’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, told NBC News that he hoped the lawsuit would help his client find “some measure of justice for what happened to him.” He added that he believed McClurkin “took advantage” of someone who was “confused and had problems accepting his sexuality, coupled with his religious beliefs.”

McClurkin, who is best known for his songs “Stand” and “We Fall Down,” rose to fame in 1996 with his self-titled album, which earned him a Grammy nomination and garnered praise from high-profile celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey. He won Grammy awards in 2004, 2006, and 2010.