Puppeteer Kevin Clash got the upper hand (no pun intended). His lawyer was able to convince his accuser and ex-lover model Sheldon Stephens to publicly retract his claim that Clash engaged in sex with him when he was a minor – only 16-years-old. It’s reported that when Stephens was in final negotiations, he was crying and repeated that he didn’t want to sign the document, a settlement which netted him $125,000.
Stephens who was being represented by Andreozzi & Associates, also allegedly had to agree to repeat the following statement when asked about the case ‘I want it to be known that my sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship.”
After Stephens contacted the show’s lawyers, Clash, 52, took a leave of absence from Sesame Workshop, which produces the popular PBS series, “Sesame Street.” He is Sesame Street’s senior puppet coordinator and Muppet captain. Clash has been the voice of Elmo for two decades.
News has surfaced that in an email that Clash promised to make Stephens’ “dreams come true;” he reportedly apologized to him for always referencing sex, told him he loved him and would buy him a ticket to visit him in New York.
Clash’s ex-wife, Gina, has declined to comment to the media. It’s likely, she want this to be over so she and their 19-year-old daughter can get back to their normal lives.
