Kevin Clash also known as the voice behind children’s show, Sesame Street, character Elmo has taken a leave of absence from the show. There are currently allegations toward him having a sexual relationship with an underage boy. More of the story inside.TMZ reports, Clash has be accused of allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 16 year old boy. He has denied ALL accusations.  This all came to light when Sesame Workshop lawyers met with a 23 year old man who claims to have had a sexual relationship with Clash 7 years ago. This would have been when the boy was 16 and Clash 45.

Clash does admit to having relations with the man but said that it was when he was an adult and of age.

Sesame Workshop states:

“In June of this year, Sesame Workshop received a communication from a young man who alleged that he had a relationship with Kevin Clash beginning when he was 16-years-old.  This was a personal relationship, unrelated to the workplace. We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action.”

Sources with direct knowledge of the situation said that the accuser’s initial meeting with Sesame Street felt as though the lawyers were trying to hide the situation. The young man then lawyered up himself with Andreozzi and Associates. This firm is the same one that represented the victims of the Jerry Sandusky case.

In August 2012 Andreozzi sent a letter to Sesame Street stating the company was trying to “discredit the victim in order to protect its employee and the image of one of its most valuable characters. This approach places a greater value on a puppet than the well being of a young man.“ Sesame Workshop says that they conducted an investigation and had determined the allegation of underage sex was unsubstantiated.  They said they asked for evidence supporting his claim, but he never produced it. There are emails that do acknowledge the relationship of the two. One in particular does talk of the affair when the young man was 16 years old.

Sesame Workshop says:

“Kevin insists that these allegations are false and defamatory and he has taken actions to protect his reputation.  We have granted him a leave of absence to do so.“

Clash has requested a leave of absence but still denies the allegations of underage sexual relationship.

“I had a relationship with [the accuser].  It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.“

Clash believes that the accusations false and defamatory.

“Elmo is bigger than any one person and will continue to be an integral part of Sesame Street to engage, educate and inspire children around the world.”