Community Corner
Clash Accuser Recants Allegations of Sexual Impropriety
A law firm issued a statement recanting accusations made about the man who performs the voice of Elmo on Sesame Street.
The 23-year-old man who accused puppeteer Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo, of having sex with him when he was 16 has recanted that allegation.
New York Times reporter Brian Stelter is reporting via Twitter and newyorktimes.com that the man admitted the relationship was between consenting adults.
The recantation was issued in a statement from a law firm, according to Stelter.
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Stelter also tweeted a statement from Clash: "I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further."
The accuser claimed that he and Clash, who was raised in the Turner Station community of Baltimore County, had a sexual relationship seven years ago when he was 16 and Clash was 45.
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Though Sesame Workshop, the producer of Sesame Street, home of the iconic muppets of which Elmo is one, said it found the man's claims to be unsubstantiated, the organization granted Clash a leave of absence so he could work to clear his name.
TMZ broke the story about the allegations of Monday.
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