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rachel1

(538 posts)
Mon Dec 10, 2012, 06:02 PM Dec 2012

Elmo Sex Scandal: Kevin Clash Accused Of Underage Sex By 4th Alleged Victim

A fourth man has come forward with claims that he had a sexual relationship with Elmo's puppeteer when the accuser was 16.

The newest allegations heat up the firestorm that's engulfed Kevin Clash, formerly an integral member of "Sesame Street." Clash resigned as Elmo's voice and puppeteer in November when several men filed lawsuits claiming that they had sex with him while they were underage teens.

NBC News uncovered the latest lawsuit that was filed on Monday by a man identified as John Doe. The suit claims that Clash was in his mid-30s when in 1995 he befriended the alleged 16-year-old victim. Clash reportedly flew the teen from Miami to New York, where the two engaged in sexual activity.

Well-known sex abuse lawyer Jeff Herman represents three of the accusers, including the newest man.

...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/elmo-sex-scandal-fourth-allegation-for-kevin-clash_n_2271111.html?utm_hp_ref=crime

Is anyone else beginning to wonder if all those "allegations" were concocted by the repukes and the fundies to smear the reputations of PBS, the Sesame Workshop, and Kevin Clash?

None of it makes sense at all and one of the accusers even recanted his accusation.

If this doesn't expose how desperate and pathetic the repukes are then I don't know what could.

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pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
2. It looks more likely to me that there is something to this.
Mon Dec 10, 2012, 06:15 PM
Dec 2012

I don't think Clash was a huge target of the repukes and the fundies. They were already having their way with public television.

The accuser who recanted said that he was pressured into doing so by the other side, before they would sign a settlement. That sounds plausible.

It was so long ago I doubt if there are records of Clash flying the teen from Miami to NY -- but if there are, that would be pretty explosive.

Too early to know, but-- as far as your conspiracy theory goes -- I really think the rethugs have bigger fish to fry.

P.S. If these were four women accusing Schwarzenegger or Paul Ryan of sexual abuse at age 15 or 16, would we be so quick to discount their claims?

rachel1

(538 posts)
4. No intelligent person would ever dismiss claims of sexual abuse against the repukes
Mon Dec 10, 2012, 07:35 PM
Dec 2012

because they DO have a history of committing sex crimes.

I can barely name any Democrats who've behaved as despicably as the repukes have.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
5. Democrats aren't immune to this problem -- it covers all sectors of society.
Tue Dec 11, 2012, 12:02 AM
Dec 2012

Remember Mark Foley, Democrat from Florida?

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
7. Ooops. You're right. But it's ridiculous to think that no Democrat has ever been involved
Tue Dec 11, 2012, 12:08 AM
Dec 2012

in a sex abuse case.

I hate to bring up the Catholic Church in this context, but some of the accused priests were liberal Democrats. (While the hierarchy doing the cover-up was more likely Republican.)

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
14. There's evidence.
Wed Dec 12, 2012, 03:33 AM
Dec 2012

For example:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/congress.htm

Rep. Fred Richmond, D-NY, arrested for soliciting sex from 16 year old boy

Rep Gerry Studds, D-MA, 17 year old male page

Rep Mel Richards D-ILL, 16 year old girl

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
11. This is the same argument that "both sides do it"
Tue Dec 11, 2012, 07:53 AM
Dec 2012

I would tend to agree with you, but without any actual history to use as an example it really does sound a bit like trying to make the case for the people we know have done these things.

But I would never claim categorically that Democrats never do anything like this. They do other things like Clinton and Lewinsky and Weiner and his cell phone, so they aren't above sexual scandals.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
13. Here, some actual history.
Wed Dec 12, 2012, 03:32 AM
Dec 2012

I'm not justifying Rethugs; just pointing out that Dems aren't exempt -- and the fact that Kevin Clash works for NPR or is a progressive or a Democrat has nothing to do with these charges.

And that statutory rape laws don't distinguish between girls and boys.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/congress.htm

Rep. Fred Richmond, D-NY, arrested for soliciting sex from 16 year old boy

Rep Gerry Studds, D-MA, 17 year old male page

Rep Mel Richards D-ILL, 16 year old girl

erpowers

(9,350 posts)
3. Money
Mon Dec 10, 2012, 07:22 PM
Dec 2012

When the second accuser came forward after it was announced that Kevin Clash had reach a financial agreement with the first accuser I wondered if money was the reason for that accusation and those that followed.

I have never thought this had anything to do with the Republican Party. This whole story makes a great deal of sense. Either Clash did what he is accused of doing, or these men are seeking easy financial gain. Yes, the first accuser recanted his story, but he later claimed that he had been pressured into a settlement by Clash's lawyers and that he had in fact had a sexual relationship with Clash before he reached the age of 18.

gollygee

(22,336 posts)
8. I see only two possibilities
Tue Dec 11, 2012, 12:09 AM
Dec 2012

1. It's true, or at least substantially true - like maybe one or two were underage instead of all.

2. It's a scam to get money.

I guess there's also the possibility that it's true but they didn't care until they thought they could get money, but that wouldn't make him innocent. I'd file that under #1.

I don't think there's any conspiracy. And I'm uncomfortable with just dismissing the accusers and assuming there's nothing to it. There could be. I don't know. I like to think not, simply because my kids loved Elmo and I don't like to think of anything negative associated with Kevin Cash or Elmo.

Anyway, not related to any Republicans. That just seems silly to me.

 

RZM

(8,556 posts)
12. Republicans don't give a damn about Elmo, let alone the guy who voices him
Tue Dec 11, 2012, 11:25 AM
Dec 2012

Your theory is far-fetched, to say the least.

I don't know if he did it or not, though when the accusations start to pile up, it does raise some red flags.

Whatever the case, I highly doubt this has to do with politics in any way.

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