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Voice of Elmo on leave after denying 'underage conduct' with teen
[Update 1:55 p.m.]
Kevin Clash has issued a statement saying,"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. 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."
[Posted 12:23 p.m.]
The puppeteer who voices Elmo - one of the most adored children's characters in the world - is taking time off from Sesame Street after denying he had an inappropriate relationship with a teenage boy.
Sesame Street Workshop says it found the allegation against Kevin Clash "unsubstantiated," and granted him leave as he takes "actions to protect his reputation."
In June, the workshop heard from a 23-year-old man who claimed that he had "a relationship" with Clash beginning when he was 16 years old, the workshop said in a written statement.
The statement did not use the word "sexual."
"We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action. 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," the Sesame Street Workshop statement said.
SOURCE: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/12/voice-of-elmo-on-leave-after-denying-relationship-with-teen/?hpt=us_c2
Kevin Clash has issued a statement saying,"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. 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."
[Posted 12:23 p.m.]
The puppeteer who voices Elmo - one of the most adored children's characters in the world - is taking time off from Sesame Street after denying he had an inappropriate relationship with a teenage boy.
Sesame Street Workshop says it found the allegation against Kevin Clash "unsubstantiated," and granted him leave as he takes "actions to protect his reputation."
In June, the workshop heard from a 23-year-old man who claimed that he had "a relationship" with Clash beginning when he was 16 years old, the workshop said in a written statement.
The statement did not use the word "sexual."
"We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action. 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," the Sesame Street Workshop statement said.
SOURCE: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/12/voice-of-elmo-on-leave-after-denying-relationship-with-teen/?hpt=us_c2
No worries, we all have an off day sometimes.
Yup... how about that? Potentially ruin a guy by the accusation alone, and then just come and recant the whole thing? The guy should be prosecuted. No call for this, at all.
The guy retracted his accusations. Craziness. I hope they charge him, that's ridiculous. It's idiots like these that make the victims have to go through the 3rd degree when something really happens.
My apologies. I know your just being silly and meant no harm...none of you did. I am feeling particularly sensitive about this issue tonight due to a situation a close friend of mine is facing. It was wrong to snap at you guys and I truly do apologize. It wasn't fair of me, especially knowing you all for who you are, and none of you are nasty mean people. I took out a personal issue on you guys, and that isn't fair. I'm sorry.
Relax. We're just playing.
Of course gays etc are not all the same, nor are drag queens for that matter.
Of course gays etc are not all the same, nor are drag queens for that matter.
"they" aren't all the same.
They don't call them Divas for nothing.
LOL
Hell hath no fury such as a Queen scorned.
I have to say...as much as I hate rapists, pedophiles or any other type of sexual predator, I also really get upset when someone makes a false claim.
First off, regardless of this young man recanting, this type of accusation has a tendency to haunt the innocent accused. People will remember this. That makes him a victim in my opinion. And secondly, it has taken so very many years to have sexual crimes taken seriously as the crimes that they are. The fight is still on to have more appropriate sentences given out. False allegations set the entire cause back. To use such a horrible crime just to "get someone" who is innocent of this is almost (not quite, but almost) as awful as the actual crime itself.
First off, regardless of this young man recanting, this type of accusation has a tendency to haunt the innocent accused. People will remember this. That makes him a victim in my opinion. And secondly, it has taken so very many years to have sexual crimes taken seriously as the crimes that they are. The fight is still on to have more appropriate sentences given out. False allegations set the entire cause back. To use such a horrible crime just to "get someone" who is innocent of this is almost (not quite, but almost) as awful as the actual crime itself.
People never cease to amaze me.
Sounds like a disgruntled twinkie to me.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The man who claimed he had underage sex with the puppeteer behind "Sesame Street" character Elmo recanted his claims on Tuesday, U.S. media reported.
The unnamed man, now 23, had claimed that Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash had a sexual relationship with him when the accuser was 16 years old, potentially engulfing one of the biggest childhood brands in an underage sex scandal.
"He wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship," the law firm Andreozzi and Associates, who represent the man, told U.S. media outlets in a statement.
The unnamed man, now 23, had claimed that Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash had a sexual relationship with him when the accuser was 16 years old, potentially engulfing one of the biggest childhood brands in an underage sex scandal.
"He wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship," the law firm Andreozzi and Associates, who represent the man, told U.S. media outlets in a statement.
Well, if there was something illegal about the relationship, that needs to be dealt with. If the young man were coerced, threatened, etc, those things are illegal, even if he was an adult. Unfortunately, sometimes, what one person considers "consent", is merely "acquiescing" in order to avoid a greater harm, whether it be mental or physical, real or perceived.
I totally agree with sm -- even if Clash can't resume his duties as Elmo, children need never know anything about this. Most of them probably wouldn't notice that much of a change in Elmo's voice.
I totally agree with sm -- even if Clash can't resume his duties as Elmo, children need never know anything about this. Most of them probably wouldn't notice that much of a change in Elmo's voice.
I am sure Elmo's 'voice' is replacable. Kids never need to know any of this!
I saw this article and couldn't help wonder what motivated this young man to come forward with these allegations, true or not.
(continued...)
"Kevin insists that the allegation of underage conduct is false and defamatory and he is taking actions to protect his reputation. We have granted him a leave of absence to do so.
"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, as it has for 40 years."
A representative for Clash had no immediate comment Monday. TMZ reported that Clash said his relationship with the accuser "was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not."
A law firm reported to be representing the accuser had no immediate comment.
Last year, Clash spoke to CNN about the magic of Elmo, a "mirror image" for kids.
Clash, 52, is widely beloved as the high-pitched voice of the iconic furry red Elmo, whom he's been playing since 1984 - and won Emmy Awards along the way.
He was the third Muppeteer to take on the role.
Clash is also Sesame Street's senior Muppet coordinator and Muppet captain, the Sesame Street Workshop says on its website.
A documentary, Being Elmo, focused on his story.
Clash also once spoke with NYC Dads, an initiative of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, about how he worked to spend time with his daughter who lives with his ex-wife outside of Baltimore.
"Kevin insists that the allegation of underage conduct is false and defamatory and he is taking actions to protect his reputation. We have granted him a leave of absence to do so.
"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, as it has for 40 years."
A representative for Clash had no immediate comment Monday. TMZ reported that Clash said his relationship with the accuser "was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not."
A law firm reported to be representing the accuser had no immediate comment.
Last year, Clash spoke to CNN about the magic of Elmo, a "mirror image" for kids.
Clash, 52, is widely beloved as the high-pitched voice of the iconic furry red Elmo, whom he's been playing since 1984 - and won Emmy Awards along the way.
He was the third Muppeteer to take on the role.
Clash is also Sesame Street's senior Muppet coordinator and Muppet captain, the Sesame Street Workshop says on its website.
A documentary, Being Elmo, focused on his story.
Clash also once spoke with NYC Dads, an initiative of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, about how he worked to spend time with his daughter who lives with his ex-wife outside of Baltimore.
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