Emmy award winning Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash has taken a leave of absence from Sesame Street Workshop following allegations he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an underage boy. While a Sesame Street spokesperson says an investigation failed to uncover evidence to support the unidentified accuser’s claims, Clash himself insists the relationship was consensual and occurred when the boy was of legal age.
"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," Sesame Street Workshop said in a statement. "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.”
The allegations were taken to Sesame Street Workshop in June by a 23-year-old man. He claimed he was 16-years-old at the time of his relationship with a then 45-year-old Clash.
"I had a relationship with [the accuser],” 52-year-old Clash tells TMZ. “It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.”
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