[Gossip] Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash Reached Settlement With Accuser
Posted by AJ Grey on 11.17.2012
How much was Clash's accuser apparently paid?
TMZ reports that Elmo voice Kevin Clash agreed to pay his accuser $125,000 with one condition: the accuser had to recant his story that Clash had sex with him when he was a minor.
Sheldon Stephens alleged he was only 16 when Clash began a sexual affair with him. Clash has acknowledged an affair, but he claims it started when Stephens was an adult. Stephens is now 23.
Stephens later recanted his allegation, but that was due to a settlement reportedly being struck between the two parties. Per the settlement, Clash agreed to pay Stephens $125,000. It also provided the following:
"Stephens agrees that immediately upon execution of this Agreement, his counsel, Andreozzi & Associates, P.C., shall release the [following] statement ... 'He [Stephens] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship.'"
The document also states if Stepehns is asked by anyone about his relationship with Clash, he must only repeat the statement above.
TMZ reports that Stephens signed the document, but still insists Clash had sex with him when he was a minor and was pressured into signing the settlement. Stephens was also reportedly crying during final negotiations and repeatedly insisted that he didn't want to sign.
