Kevin Clash—the disgraced former longtime voice behind Sesame Street's iconic "Elmo"—has a new strategy to dismiss at least two federal lawsuits alleging sexual abuse when they were minors. They waited too long.
Clash [says] too much time has passed since the alleged abuse. Clash has just filed a motion to dismiss the three lawsuits filed against him by Cecil Singleton and two other unidentified men. According to Clash, the statute of limitations on the sexually-motivated crimes he's accused of committing is six years—and the crimes in each instance allegedly occurred more than ten years ago.
Or, in the words of the always-entertaining Son of Baldwin: "I ain't saying I ain't do it, but I AM saying you waited too long to sue me."
Clash is facing at least two federal lawsuits from men who say that clash preyed on them when they were underage. Clash apparently has settled a third action. The most recent case was filed on November 26. Clash was accused of having sex with a 16-year-old in 2000. The 52-year-old Clash was about 40-years-old at the time. That plaintiff claims Clash used alcohol to "groom" him into "digital penetration".
Clash's November 20 resignation from Sesame Street was in response to a second accuser who also filed a federal lawsuit in New York City. Cecil Singleton alleges that he was only 15-years-old when Clash began their sexual relationship almost a decade ago.
Clash was first accused in November 2012 by 24-year-old Sheldon Stephens, who claimed that he was only 16-years-old when the sexual relationship began. Stephens recanted his allegations and then announced that the claims were indeed true and he was pressured into a financial settlement.
Clash was an executive producer at Sesame Street and worked on the popular children's television series since 1981. Clash had been Elmo's voice and puppeteer since at least 1984. He won 23 daytime Emmy awards and one prime-time Emmy.
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"Elmo" Kevin Clash Faces 3rd Underage Sex Allegation
What was he thinking? Why would you do something like that when you are on a show like Sesame Street. Well he made his millions but now he will be viewed as a child molester from this point on and he just killed Elmo... what a legacy.
Posted by: Jewels | 03 March 2013 at 20:56
Oh Kevin, please stop. I'm sure this is a legal maneuver to limit the amount he can be sued for, but still its very sad...
Posted by: reggieh | 04 March 2013 at 17:09
Mr. Clash's legacy is still intact because regardless of all these "alleged findings", he is still the person responsible for making millions of children and adults alike smile and rejoice in his God-giving talents. It's sad that I can relate to both sides of Mr. Clash's story because I was very young when I started venturing into "The Life", I was barely 16 but to most guys and girls in The Life that thought they 'REALLY' knew me, I was in my earlier twenties. Some of my first experiences kissing and making out with men were with men sometimes twice my age. For me now to look back on them and accuse them of anything, would be ridiculous. Now I'm pretty sure most gay men of all colors, can relate to that one and can relate to Kevin's unfolding story.
Now I'm just entering my 40's, I'm noticing how younger men seem to appreciate my company a great deal more, than say guys my age and older. That would be the flip side of everything that has occurred with Kevin. I really feel for him because everyone is out to really tarnish his name. Some might say his actions is what got him in trouble but most of us have been in similar situations but we aren't in the public's glaring and judgmental eyes. I pray Kevin is surrounding himself with people that aren't judging but comforting and allowing him to vent and just talk.
Posted by: Cool Curt | 05 March 2013 at 22:03