There’s some sad news out of Sesame Street! Kevin Clash, the voice of everyone’s favorite red furry creature, aka Elmo, had to take a leave of absence from the popular children’s show after he was alleged to have had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy.
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Clash has denied the allegations from a 23-year-old man, who claims he and the voice over actor began a sexual relationship 7 years ago when he was 16 and Clash was 45.
As reported by TMZ:
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.
Clash admits a relationship with the man and says:
“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.
SOURCE: TMZ