According to The New York Times, the unnamed man whose claim of an underage sexual relationship led Elmo puppeteer to take a leave of absence from Sesame Street has recanted his allegation.
Moments ago, NYT writer Brian Stelter tweeted: “The man who accused Kevin Clash (Elmo) of underage sexual conduct has RECANTED. His lawyer now says it was “adult consensual relationship.”
Clash, who had announced he was taking a leave of absence from Sesame Workshop to challenge the accusation, admitted to a relationship, but maintained it was when they were both adults, not when his accusor was 16, as he had initially claimed.
Now, Andreozzi & Associates, a law firm claiming to represent the accuser said in a statement that “he wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. He will have no further comment on the matter.”
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Mr. Clash said he was “relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest,” but had no comment on when he would return to the popular children’s show.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
I wonder if Clash did the Elmo voice while they had sex.
2eo
If FOX and the NOM have had their way I wonder when Kevin Clash will be called up for his role in Benghazi?
jkb
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: That is so rude….funny, but rude.
balehead
Apparently the accuser got a six figure settlement….doesn’t look good if it’s true…
Mjl-428
Had a feeling.
balehead
To recant for cash sends a signal that all gays can be blackmailed by hustlers claiming to be underage now…
Mooz
@balehead: Where did you get the information he paid anything?
Scribe38
@Mooz: it’s on TMZ. It doesn’t make him guilty of anything. He most likely paid to get on with his life and not have a long court battle. The young guy had a lot of emails but none posted talked about his age. If he had any he would have put those out for a fatter pay day.
Mooz
… but sources close to the situation tell TMZ …
Let me tell ya. I know Sources Close, and she’s a lyin’ bitch.
jerry_pritikin
Thanks to the media, and particularly TMZ we had a character assassination. No real bullets were used,however they killed the famed career of a man who happened to be gay. Today, when I watch the news, I think of it as a basketball game and wait to watch the final 2 minutes of story to get the real results. Especially when reported on TMZ and Fox Networks. They are the broadcast equivalent of the National Inquire! I do not watch either TMZ or Fox, and a lot better off for it.
Daniel-Reader
The accuser should be named. If he recanted then it was an adult relationship and there is no reason why someone who recanted should be shielded. It is in the public interest for the public to know who would make such an atrocious accusation only to recant it.
Ogre Magi
reminds me of this http://www.toonhole.com/2011/12/dough-boy/
Alan down in Florida
As soon as I heard that the accuser had gone to Sesame Street and not to the police I just assumed it was an extortion attempt and that as soon as they threatened to have his ass thrown in jail for blackmail he’d recant. Moral of the story – you don’t f**k with Elmo.
Gregg
Romney vs. PBS … round 2 goes to Romney, by TKO on TMZ! he he he