12 replies to this topic

[Zinix]

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, TMZ has learned ... allegations Clash adamantly denies.

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 tell us 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."


Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2.../#ixzz2C1l4Kk00



Bummer.

I remember watching his documentary earlier this year, he seemed like a decent guy. I grew up on Sesame Street, so I hope that this isn't true and this kid is just seeking a pay day.

I honestly had no idea Kevin Clash was a homosexual, regardless of his sexual preference, he does a good thing.

[Tricky Sonic]

These stories piss me off. Now a days all someone has to do is accuse someone with money of touching them inappropriately and all hell breaks loose. Want publicity and money? Accuse a random actor of molesting you. Seems to work for everyone else.

Edited by TrickySx4, 12 November 2012 - 09:37 AM.

[Mignaga]

These stories piss me off. Now a days all someone has to do is accuse someone with money of touching them inappropriately and all hell breaks loose. Want publicity and money? Accuse a random actor of molesting you. Seems to work for everyone else.

Guys... Tricky touched me when I was a small child...

Does that count?

[Tricky Sonic]

Guys... Tricky touched me when I was a small child...

Does that count?

I said WITH money. Not a poor gamer rofl

[SDDMN]

Thus why I'm making sure that when I start dating, the girl is of adult age. If not, then no go.

[Jelloman]

in england at the moment theres a dead guy who loads of people looked up to and he did a tv show called jim will fix it and he turned out to be a molester who was involved in over 80 cases of sexual abuse and this is bringing down bbc. (the equivalent of cbs or nbc) this guy was awful to children and trick 8 year olds in to doing it with him.
Sicko
Jim will fix it:

[Goom]

Iv'e come up with several funny comebacks to this news but I don't want to be banned on this forums

[Alph]

Dejavu? Here comes the next Jimmy Saville...

[dagwood dang]

in england at the moment theres a dead guy who loads of people looked up to and he did a tv show called jim will fix it and he turned out to be a molester who was involved in over 80 cases of sexual abuse and this is bringing down bbc. (the equivalent of cbs or nbc) this guy was awful to children and trick 8 year olds in to doing it with him.
Sicko
Jim will fix it:

**blech!** That dude looks like a chi-mo. If I lived in the UK, my kids wouldn't watch that show, simply because looking at that guy would give them nightmares... ew with the stringy gold necklace on his blotchy skin... ... grosss!

[WisdomPowerCourage]

Oh great, another Sandusky case...

[Dragon]

People amaze me....

[Alex Wolfers]

Later on TMZ.......The Teletubbie killer exposed!

[Zinix]

The man who claims he had a sexual relationship with Kevin Clash -- the voice of Elmo -- is RECANTING his story ... claiming he WAS an adult during their relationship after all.

The accuser's lawyer just released a statement saying, "[The accuser] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. [The accuser] will have no further comment."

It's unclear why the accuser suddenly changed his story ... but sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... the accuser's attorney had been meeting with Clash's attorney as recent as an hour ago, discussing a financial settlement and 6-figures were on the table.

We broke the story, the accuser claimed he had a sexual relationship with Kevin beginning when he was 16 and Kevin was 45.

Clash has also released a statement saying, "I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further."


Read more: http://www.tmz.com/p.../#ixzz2CEZMAe41

Looks like the accuser got paid off.