Kevin Clash, the embattled voice of Sesame Street’s beloved Elmo, is now facing new allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a second underage boy. As a result, he has resigned from the PBS show he has been a part of for decades. In a statement released Tuesday, Sesame Workshop said : “Sesame Workshop’s mission is to harness the educational power of media to help all children the world over reach their highest potential.” “Kevin Clash has helped us achieve that mission for 28 years, and none of us, especially Kevin, want anything to divert our attention from our focus on serving as a leading educational organization.” “Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin’s personal life has become a distraction that none of us want, and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective.” “[He has] resigned from Sesame Street. This is a sad day for Sesame Street.” The accuser, who’s now in his 30s, filed a lawsuit against Clash, claiming the two met on a gay phone chat in 1993, when the accuser was 15 and Clash was 32. He says Clash “trolled gay telephone chat line rooms to meet and have sex with underage boys.” In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in NYC, he says Clash “groomed [the accuser] to gain his trust by, among other things, taking him to nice dinners and giving him money.” Kevin Clash , now 52, allegedly “preyed on teenage boys to satisfy depraved sexual interests.” Although the sex occurred nearly 20 years ago, the accuser did not take action until today. Why? Because “did not become aware that he had suffered adverse psychological and emotional effects from Kevin Clash’s sexual acts and conduct until 2012.” One can’t help but think Sheldon Stephens ‘ similar accusations against Clash – which he recanted in a settlement he wants to undo – played a role too. In any case, the second, currently unnamed accuser is demanding more than $5 million. Clash has left the broadcast, effective immediately. [Photo: WENN.com]
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Kevin Clash Resigns From Sesame Street Amid Underage Sex Allegations From Second Boy
