Elmo Statutory Rape Allegations

[Reece]

Elmo Statutory Rape Allegations

Kevin Clash, the man known as the voice of Elmo has taken a leave of absence from Sesame Street in the wake of allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy…

Via TMZ reports:

We’ve learned … Sesame Workshop lawyers recently met with a 23-year-old man who claims he and Clash began a sexual relationship 7 years ago … when he was 16 and Clash was 45.

Clash has acknowledged to TMZ he had a relationship with the young man — but insists it only took place AFTER the accuser was an adult.

Sesame Workshop honchos tell TMZ … “In June of this year, Sesame Workshop received a communication from a young man who alleged that he had a relationship with Kevin Clash beginning when he was 16-years-old. This was a personal relationship, unrelated to the workplace. We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action.”

Sesame Workshop officials acknowledge to TMZ they met with the accuser twice and had a number of other communications with him.

Sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell TMZ … after the accuser’s initial meeting with Sesame Street, the accuser felt Sesame Workshop’s lawyers were trying to muzzle him … so he lawyered up with Andreozzi and Associates — the firm that represented one of the victims in the Jerry Sandusky child rape case.

On August 15, 2012 … Andreozzi fired off a letter to Sesame, accusing the company of trying to “discredit the victim in order to protect its employee and the image of one of its most valuable characters,” adding, “This approach places a greater value on a puppet than the well being of a young man.”

Sesame Workshop officials tell TMZ … they conducted a thorough investigation and determined the allegation of underage sex was unsubstantiated. They say they never tried to silence the accuser — rather they asked for evidence supporting his claim, but he never produced it.

Officials also tell us they’re suspicious because the accuser has an email which TMZ obtained — purportedly sent to him by Clash, acknowledging they had the affair when he was 16. The officials say the accuser never mentioned such an email existed and they believe it’s fraudulent.

But there were other emails between Clash and the accuser, and although they don’t suggest there was underage sex, officials say they disciplined him for inappropriate use of company email.

Sesame Workshop honchos tell TMZ … “Kevin insists that these allegations are false and defamatory and he has taken actions to protect his reputation. We have granted him a leave of absence to do so.”

It is unclear why Clash wanted a leave of absence, since he denies the allegations of underage sex.

As for Clash, the voice actor tells TMZ, “I had a relationship with [the accuser]. It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.” Clash calls the accusations false and defamatory.

Finally Sesame Workshop officials tell TMZ the puppet is alive and well: “Elmo is bigger than any one person and will continue to be an integral part of Sesame Street to engage, educate and inspire children around the world.”

If this was for real, and Nash actually had sex with this guy when he was underage, which would probably make it statutory rape then why didn’t he go directly with the cops with that and instead went to Sesame Workshop?

We really hope this guy wasn’t trying to put his hands up little boys instead of his puppet. Our childhood would cry the ugly cry.

[Mikal]

So he hasn't just had his hands inside puppets Eh? Eh...?

[Woka]

I think his job led him to liking little boys

[Gandalf]

I think his job led him to liking little boys

I think the opposite.

[Darxez]

Don't let the kids watch this Gandalf !

[Arturo_Diaz]

So he hasn't just had his hands inside puppets Eh? Eh...?

 :poke: Too far man, too far. 

[Darxez]

So he hasn't just had his hands inside puppets Eh? Eh...?

Took me a minute to get back to life... Died from the laugh I had on that comment Mikal xD

Edit: Massive BB code fail.

[Mikal]

I think his job led him to liking little boys

How da' fug? :trust:

 :poke: Too far man, too far. 

I could have said worse things...

So he hasn't just had his hands inside puppets Eh? Eh...?[/quote

]Took me a minute to get back to life... Died from the laugh I had on that comment Mikal xD

Phail Whale.

[Darxez]

Shame :3.

[Teddy]

Innocent.

The allegations have been withdrawn by the man who made the claims, saying it took place after he was 18.


NEW YORK -- In a quick turnabout, a man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of having sex with him when he was a teenage boy now says they had a relationship as adults and it was consensual.

The man, who has not identified himself, released his statement Tuesday through the Harrisburg, Pa., law firm Andreozzi & Associates. It is not known why he made the accusation.

Sesame Workshop, which produces "Sesame Street" in New York, soon followed by saying, "We are happy that Kevin can move on from this unfortunate episode."

Clash also responded with a statement, saying he is "relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest." He had no further comment.

Neither Clash nor Sesame Workshop indicated on Tuesday when he might return to the show, on which he has performed as Elmo since 1984.

The whirlwind episode began Monday morning, when Sesame Workshop startled the world by announcing that Clash had taken a leave of absence from "Sesame Street" following allegations that he had had a relationship with a 16-year-old.

The 52-year-old divorced father of a grown daughter swiftly denied the charges of his accuser, who now is in his 20s. In that statement Clash acknowledged that he is gay but said the relationship had been between two consenting adults.

Though it remained unclear where the relationship took place, sex with a person under 17 is a felony in New York if the perpetrator is at least 21.

Sesame Workshop, which said it was first contacted by the accuser in June, had launched an investigation that included meeting with the accuser twice and meeting with Clash. Its investigation found the charge of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated.

Clash said on Monday he would take a break from Sesame Workshop "to deal with this false and defamatory allegation."

Elmo had previously been a marginal character on "Sesame Street," but Clash, supplying the fuzzy red puppet with a high-pitched voice and a carefree, child-like personality, launched the character into major stardom. Elmo soon rivaled Big Bird as the face of "Sesame Street."

Though usually behind the scenes, Clash achieved his own measure of fame. In 2006, he published an autobiography, "My Life as a Furry Red Monster," and he was the subject of the 2011 documentary "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey."

He has won 23 daytime Emmy awards and one prime-time Emmy.

Soruce: http://www.southfloridagaynews.com/arts-and-entertainment/celebrities/7942-gay-elmo-puppeteer-innocent-of-underage-teen-sex.html