Three lawsuits brought by men who said a former Elmo puppeteer sexually abused them when they were underage were dismissed Monday by Southern District Judge John Koeltl (See Profile). The judge said the claims must be barred because they came more than six years after each man reasonably should have become aware of Kevin Clash's alleged violations and more than three years after each turned 18. One other lawsuit is pending in Pennsylvania.
Clash resigned from "Sesame Street" in November after college student Cecil Singleton sued him for more than $5 million, accusing Clash of having sex with him when he was 15. At the time, Clash said he was leaving his job because "personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work 'Sesame Street' is doing." Clash was the man behind the popular furry red monster for 28 years.
