11:41 am - 11/20/2012
Kevin Clash -- known as the voice of Elmo -- is facing NEW allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a SECOND underage boy ... TMZ has learned.
The accuser -- who is now in his 30s -- has filed a lawsuit against Clash ... claiming the two met on a gay phone chat line back in 1993 ... when the accuser was 15 years old and Clash was 32.
Among the allegations, Singleton claims, "[Clash] trolled gay telephone chat line rooms to meet and have sex with underage boys."
In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in NYC, Singleton claims Clash "groomed [the accuser] to gain his trust by, among other things, taking him to nice dinners and giving him money."
Singleton claims while Clash was featured on "Sesame Street," he was "preying on teenage boys to satisfy his depraved sexual interests."
In the suit, Singleton claims ... although the sex occurred nearly 20 years ago, he didn't take action until now because ... he "did not become aware that he had suffered adverse psychological and emotional effects from Kevin Clash's sexual acts and conduct until 2012."
Singleton is demanding more than $5 million.
We broke the story, Clash struck a settlement with a previous accuser who initially claimed he had a sexual relationship with Kevin beginning when he was 16 years old. As part of the settlement, the accuser issued a statement recanting his claims.
Source
Voice of Elmo NEW LAWSUIT Allegations of Sex with SECOND Underage Boy
Kevin Clash -- known as the voice of Elmo -- is facing NEW allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a SECOND underage boy ... TMZ has learned.
The accuser -- who is now in his 30s -- has filed a lawsuit against Clash ... claiming the two met on a gay phone chat line back in 1993 ... when the accuser was 15 years old and Clash was 32.
Among the allegations, Singleton claims, "[Clash] trolled gay telephone chat line rooms to meet and have sex with underage boys."
In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in NYC, Singleton claims Clash "groomed [the accuser] to gain his trust by, among other things, taking him to nice dinners and giving him money."
Singleton claims while Clash was featured on "Sesame Street," he was "preying on teenage boys to satisfy his depraved sexual interests."
In the suit, Singleton claims ... although the sex occurred nearly 20 years ago, he didn't take action until now because ... he "did not become aware that he had suffered adverse psychological and emotional effects from Kevin Clash's sexual acts and conduct until 2012."
Singleton is demanding more than $5 million.
We broke the story, Clash struck a settlement with a previous accuser who initially claimed he had a sexual relationship with Kevin beginning when he was 16 years old. As part of the settlement, the accuser issued a statement recanting his claims.
Source
I agree there are too many holes to automatically blame the accused but at the same time we shouldn't automatically assume the accuser is lying either.
People traumitized by sexual abuse want justice. They want the person off the streets. They want their story heard. They don't look at their sexual abuse as a lottery ticket waiting to be cashed.
If he had gone to the police, if they had done an investigation, and then he was informed it was too late/there wasn't enough evidence or whatever, then filing a civil suit provides a way to get the truth out there and compensation for the pain.
But flat-out going to Sesame Street for a quick payout? Filing a civil suit just for the $$$ without ever going to the police?
No, this is not the behavior of someone traumatized by sexual abuse. I'm sorry.
Let's say the guy just wanted money. Let's say he didn't feel like he was molested because the relationship was consensual despite the fact that legally it was rape of a minor. Does that mean Clash still didn't take advantage of him when he was under 18? Does that mean it was ok because look at this greedy motherfucker now who just wants to make bank on a secret he had with Clash.
Only people who go to the police are allowed to be considered victims?
Something to think about.
Why in the world, if someone was a victim of a crime, would they not go to the police but rather would instead try to get millions of dollars in a quick hush-hush payoff?
A payoff which--had his attempt been successful--would have ensured that the pedophile in question would be free to further victimize other young men?
Something for you to think about.
He was under the assumption that he was in a consensual relationship. Years later for whatever reason he decides he will reveal this info. If he would rather have hush money than seek justice that is his business. Who are we to say how he should handle it? It is not up to anyone to judge him on how he wants to handle his alleged-molestation. He signed an agreement saying he would take back the claim once he got the money. Now he is saying he feels guilty and still wants Clash held accountable. He could have easily kept quiet and gone away with the 125k if that is the only thing he wanted.
The fact that people don't want to even give any doubt to either side is my problem.
You say that people don't want to give doubt to either side? I find that humorous since you're the one that has already decided he's being 100% truthful.
If you find what I say humorous it must mean you are not understanding all of my replies. I have not at any point said I believe 100% that Clash is guilty (Go through all my replies if you like cause you won't find it). All I have been doing is pointing out the other guys story to people who keep saying Clash is completely innocent because of x-y-z about the alleged victim. See no one has said they believe 100% that Clash is guilty so there was no one to reply about Clash's side (again the whole point of my original post about people being quick to pick a side)
The entire point of my original post is that people have already chosen a side despite not knowing what actually happened between them. Even if people want to say they believe Clash more than the victim ok but at least point out that you could also be wrong because you don't actually know the truth. Same for if people believe the victim and think Clash did it. You weren't there. So at least allow for some room of doubt.
Yeah, sounds like you've made up your mind there...rather than people who are questioning. Because questioning is what you do when your mind isn't made up and you're trying to gather facts.
i could of gotten money from a victim's fund and believe me at the time we needed it...but i didn't..that didn't matter..
i wanted him in jail..end of...nothing else...no amount of money ever makes you forget what happened or how it made you feel...you just learn to cope and get on with it...
If this guy's attempt at getting money from Sesame Street had been accepted, he would have, in essence, but someone he believes is a pedophile right back on the streets without a single person in the public knowing about it.
I just don't believe that is the behavior of a sexual abuse victim.