Fourth Elmo Accuser Sues Kevin Clash For Sexual Relationship
Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo, has been sued by a fourth accuser who alleges that the former Sesame Street puppeteer had a sexual relationship with him while he was a minor. Clash resigned three weeks ago due to the sex scandal.
The fourth Elmo accuser has filed a federal lawsuit under the name John Doe. In the suit, Doe charges that when he was 16 or 17 in late 1995 to early 1996, Clash had sex with him.
The lawsuit claims that Clash "lured the boy to visit him in New York, with promises to pay for his plane ticket, be a 'dad' to him in New York and give him cash and a free place to stay," according to court papers filed in New York.
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Doe is being represented by Miami attorney Jeff Herman, who is also representing two other accusers. Only three accusers, all represented by Herman, have filed lawsuits. The first accuser agreed to an undisclosed settlement with the Elmo puppeteer and not press legal charges.
The fourth Elmo accuser claims in his suit that he's suffered emotional, mental and psychological damage as a result of his relationship with Clash.
"These are all vulnerable boys," Herman said at a press conference. "None of them had father figures in their lives and they were looking for that father figure."
Speaking to TMZ, Herman added, "According to our lawsuit, Kevin Clash knowingly paid to transport a minor across state lines for the purpose of satisfying his sexual interests."
Michael Berger, who is representing Clash, has rejected the allegations. He said "the lawsuit is without merit and we will vigorously defend the case and Mr. Clash's reputation."
Clash resigned on Nov. 20 from Sesame Street Workshop, after 28 years as the voice and puppeteer of Elmo.
