Man behind Sesame Street's Elmo takes leave of abscence amid sex scandal

[TheMightyFavog]

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20647170,00.html

The puppeteer who performs as the Sesame Street character Elmo has been granted a leave of absence from his job amid allegations he had an improper relationship with a 16-year-old boy.

Kevin Clash denies the allegations first reported by TMZ but says that he had a consensual relationship with a man, who is now 23, that occurred when the accuser was of legal age.

"I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter," Clash, 52, tells PEOPLE in a statement via his personal rep.

"I had a relationship with the accuser," his statement continues. "It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was. I am taking a break from Sesame Workshop to deal with this false and defamatory allegation."

I seriously hope this is just some asshole trying to cash in on Clash's fame, however, Part of me thinks this might actually be true...

[hollysmom]

1. where do you think the idea for tickle me Elmo came from?

[HERVEPA]

2. So this is funny to you. Schmuck.

[hollysmom]

3. one more rude person blocked.

[roguevalley]

4. I like him. he seems like a nice man. I hope he's right.

[roguevalley]

6. UPDATE: The accuser has retracted and said it

was consensual when he was an adult. What a shitty thing to do to a guy that is by all accounts a nice guy.

[Agschmid]

5. Did we need that? n/t