Voice of Elmo Sued Over Meth-Fueled Sex Parties

Sheldon Stephens files lawsuit against Kevin Clash
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 19, 2013 10:39 AM CDT
Voice of Elmo Sued Over Meth-Fueled Sex Parties
In this Jan. 24, 2011 file photo, Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash poses with the "Sesame Street" muppet in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.   (AP Photo/Victoria Will, File)

The original 'voice of Elmo' accuser, Sheldon Stephens, has now officially sued Kevin Clash, alleging the former Sesame Street puppeteer lured him into a sexual relationship when he was underage. Stephens, who originally recanted his claims of sex abuse only to recant his recant amid reports that Clash had paid him off, says Clash had Stephens chauffeured to his New York apartment for sex starting when Stephens was 16. While there, Stephens says, Clash smoked crystal meth and the chauffeur masturbated while he watched the pair have sex.

TMZ explains that, after Stephens recanted his recant, Clash never paid him the settlement money they originally agreed on, and thus this lawsuit was filed. Three more accusers stepped forward after Stephens, and earlier this month Clash sought to dismiss those three lawsuits because, he says, the statute of limitations has run out. (More Kevin Clash stories.)

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