Elmo on leave from Sesame Street amid accustaions of sexual impropriety with a 16-year-old boy
Kevin Clash admits to a relationship with the teenager, but says he was of legal age.
Kevin Clash, Voice of Elmo, Leaves Sesame Street — Underage Sex Allegations - TVLine
Kevin Clash, the voice behind Sesame Street‘s Elmo, is on leave of absence from the show amid claims that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy — an allegation the 52-year-old puppeteer is denying.
According to a statement released by Sesame Workshop, the now-23-year-old man approached execs back in June with the claim. After conducting a “thorough investigation,” the company “found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated.” However, “our investigation did reveal that Kevin exercised poor judgment and violated company policy regarding internet usage and he was disciplined. 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.”
Sesame concluded its statement by saying, “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.”
UPDATE Nov 13, 2012: Accuser Recants Underage-Sex Allegations Against Voice-of-Elmo Guy.
