First Romney threatens Big Bird, now Elmo gets accused of sex with 16 year old.

[No Elephants]

Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash takes leave from 'Sesame Street,' denies sexual allegations
By Randee Dawn, TODAY contributor

Updated 1 p.m. ET: Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind "Sesame Street's" Elmo since 1985, has taken a leave of absence from the show following allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old, according to a statement from Sesame Workshop.

Workshop representatives said that in June a 23-year-old man reached out to Sesame Workshop alleging that he had a relationship with Clash beginning seven years earlier.

"We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action," said the reps in the statement. "We met with the accuser twice and had repeated communications with him. We met with Kevin, who denied the accusation. We also conducted a thorough investigation and found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated. Although this was a personal relationship unrelated to the workplace, our investigation did reveal that Kevin exercised poor judgment and violated company policy regarding Internet usage and he was disciplined."

<snip>

"I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter," Clash said in a statement to NBC News issued through a representative. "I had a relationship with the accuser. It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was. I am taking a break from Sesame Workshop to deal with this false and defamatory allegation."

http://todayentertainment.today.com/_news/2012/11/12/15109276-elmo-puppeteer-kevin-clash-takes-leave-from-sesame-street-denies-sexual-allegations?lite#__utma=14933801.455403369.1352814826.1352814826.1352814826.1&__utmb=14933801.1.10.1352814826&__utmc=14933801&__utmx=-&__utmz=14933801.1352814826.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29|utmccn=%28direct%29|utmcmd=%28none%29&__utmv=14933801.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc|cover=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.nbcnews.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=121282184


The story does not say when Clash says the relationship between "two consenting adults" occurred. Age of consent in NY is 17. Seven years ago, the accuser would have been 16.

I saw the PBS special on Clash and it was really good. Sad situation all around.

[Enthusiast]

1. It is a sad situation. nt

[NYC_SKP]

2. 'Elmo' Accuser Recants Allegations of Underage Sex With Kevin Clash

'Elmo' Accuser Recants Allegations of Underage Sex With Kevin Clash
Source: ABC News

The 23-year-old man who accused Kevin Clash, the man who has been the voice of Elmo on "Sesame Street" for nearly three decades, of having had a sexual relationship with him when he was a minor recanted the allegation today.

"He wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship," according to a statement issued by the unidentified man's representative, Andreozzi & Associates. "He will have no further comment on the matter."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/elmo-accuser-recants-allegations-underage-sex-kevin-clash/story?id=17710758


I can't figure why the guy made the accusations in the first place.

[No Elephants]

3. Thank you for posting this.

He may still have a problem with Sesame Street.

[No Elephants]

4. NYC, if you still have mod power, you might consider deleting this entire thread.

It's a terrible headline to have on the page, given the guy has recanted.