FILE-AP
This Jan. 24, 2011 file photo shows "Sesame Street" muppet Elmo and puppeteer Kevin Clash poses for a portrait in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival to promote the film "Being Elmo" in Park City, Utah. Clash has taken a leave of absence from the popular kids' show following allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old boy. Sesame Workshop says Kevin Clash denies the charges, which were first made in June by the alleged partner, who by then was 23.
The puppeteer who has played Elmo for nearly three decades has taken leave from "Sesame Street" in the wake of "unsubstantiated" underage sex allegations against him, according to Sesame Workshop.
In a statement on its website, Sesame Workshop said it received a "communication" in June from a 23-year-old man who claimed to have been in a relationship with Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash when he was 16.
The organization said it "took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action," finding that Clash had "exercised poor judgment and violated company policy regarding internet usage and he was disciplined."
But Sesame Workshop said that after meeting with Clash's accuser twice it could not substantiate his claim of underage conduct.
"Kevin insists that the allegation of underage conduct is false and defamatory and he is taking actions to protect his reputation," Sesame Workshop said. "We have granted him a leave of absence to do so."
Clash, speaking to TMZ, said that he had been in a relationship with his accuser – as an adult.
"It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not," Clash said.
Clash is the third puppeteer to have played Elmo on "Sesame Street," and has done so since 1984, according to a bio on Sesamestreet.org. While best known for playing the red monster, Clash also performs as Hoots the Owl and Baby Natasha on the long-running children's show.
He is a three-time Emmy winner for outstanding performer in a children's series. Clash also won Emmys from 2001 to 2006 for his work as co-executive producer on the series, according to his bio.
He has also worked on "Labyrinth" and the first two "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" films. Clash was also the subject of a 2011 documentary "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey."
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