The unidentified male who accused the voice of “Sesame Street” character Elmo of engaging in underage sex with him has recanted his statement, according to New York Times reporter Brian Stetler.
Stetler tweeted Tuesday afternoon, “The man who accused Kevin Clash (Elmo) of underage sexual conduct has RECANTED. His lawyer now says it was ‘adult consensual relationship.'”
He continued: “The accuser has remained anonymous. The recantation came in a statement via a law firm. The statement did not include an apology to Clash.”
Stetler also tweeted Kevin Clash’s statement: “I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further.”
Clash took a leave of absence after Sesame Street Workshop said that he had violated the company’s Internet usage policy, even though the underage sex claims were unfounded.
Early Tuesday, an explicit 2010 e-mail exchange between Clash and the accuser — who claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Clash when he was 45 and the accuser was 16 — was published online.
“I’m sorry that I keep talking about sex with you, its driving me insane,” Clash wrote.
He continued, “I want you to know that I love you and I will never hurt you. I’m here to protect you and make sure your dreams come true.”