Accuser Recants Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Sesame Street Actor

The 23 year-old man accused Clash, the award-winning actor behind the beloved Elmo character for nearly three decades, of engaging in a sexual relationship with him when the man was just 16 years old. Although the allegations were made public last week, the claims originally surfaced in June. Clash’s accuser went to the Sesame Workshop with the story over the summer.

The Sesame Workshop immediately took action to investigate the claims. After interviewing both Clash and his accuser, the organization concluded that although Clash and his accuser did have a personal relationship, the allegations of illegal sexual activity were unfounded. No charges were ever filed against Clash.

Clash has been on voluntary leave from the show to deal with the false allegations. Last Monday, the openly gay man admitted he had a relationship with the accuser, but insisted that it was between two consenting adults. He expressed sadness that the man was trying to mischaracterize their relationship.

The day after Clash made his public denial, his accuser recanted his story. His representative, a lawyer from the same firm that represents a victim in the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case, issued a statement acknowledging that his client’s relationship with Clash was adult and consensual.

Clash has not filed any defamation charges against his accuser and is eager to move on from the allegations.