Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash's Accuser Drops Underage Sex Complaint

Former Sesame Street bigwig still faces three other lawsuits from men who claim he sexually abused them when they were boys

By Alexis L. Loinaz Apr 17, 2013 12:50 PMTags
Puppeteer Kevin ClashFrederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Things are starting to look up for Kevin Clash.

The embattled Elmo puppeteer, who's been pelted with a barrage of accusations that he had sex with underage boys, has now found some reprieve after one his accusers withdrew his complaint against the one-time Sesame Street bigwig.

In documents filed in U.S. District Court in New York on April 15 and obtained by E! News, the plaintiff, who is identified only as "D.O.," gave notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice against the 52-year-old.

However, Clash still faces lawsuits from three other men alleging that the puppeteer had sex with them when they were underage.

Curiously, the most recent one was filed by the same man who first accused Clash of inappropriate sexual contact before later recanting his comments. He eventually filed a complaint last month claiming that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with Clash that began when he was 16 years old, and that their hookups were fueled by drugs.

Clash resigned from Sesame Street last November, saying that the scandal "diverted attention away from the important work Sesame Street is doing."

E! News has reached out to Clash's attorneys for comment.

—Reporting by Baker Machado