Florida Man And Three Others Sue Ex-Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash

 Another man on Monday sued the former Elmo puppeteer who resigned amid sex abuse allegations, claiming the voice actor befriended him in Miami and promised to be a father figure before flying the teen to New York to have sex with him.

The alleged victim is now the fourth to accuse Kevin Clash, who resigned from "Sesame Street" last month after 28 years. The three legal actions filed so far have been civil cases seeking financial compensation.

But the incident with the latest victim, referred to only as S.M., could involve criminal charges because the lawsuit claims Clash transported him across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Attorney Jeff Herman said he encouraged his client to report the incident to authorities but it's unclear if the now-33-year-old alleged victim has done so.

Sexual abuse allegations against Clash triggered a media frenzy last month. He quickly denied the first claim, which was recanted the next day. But Clash then resigned after a 24-year-old college student, Cecil Singleton, sued him for $5 million, saying the actor engaged in sexual behavior with him when he was 15.

Singleton claims the voice actor met him in New York a dozen years ago after trolling gay telephone chat lines and seeking underage boys for sex.

In the latest case, the plaintiff said Clash approached him on Miami Beach, complimented his appearance and struck up a friendship. Clash returned home to New York, but stayed in touch with the teen, promising to be a dad to him. The youth, who was 16 or 17 at the time, had been molested by a teacher and was considering running away from home, according to the lawsuit.

"These are all vulnerable boys. None of them had father figures in their lives and they were looking for that father figure," said Herman, who represents three of the alleged victims.

The lawsuit says Clash paid for a plane ticket from Florida to New York in 1996 and arranged for a car service to pick up the teen and bring him to his upscale apartment, where he gave him cash and showered him with "attention and affection" and ultimately engaged in numerous sexual acts.

Herman said he is poring over receipts and other documents to see if the car service was paid for by Clash's employers at Sesame Street.

Clash's attorney Michael Berger said in a statement that "the lawsuit is without merit and we will vigorously defend the case and Mr. Clash's reputation."

Sesame Street publicist Ellen Lewis said "we're confident in the actions that we took," but declined further comment, saying it was an issue between litigants.

Herman said the alleged victims didn't come forward sooner because they were afraid, but have found courage as others have spoken up.

He said they are compliant victims who participated in the sexual acts, but didn't consent because it's illegal for a minor to do so.

"Because they participated in the sex they feel like they're doing something wrong ... they're ashamed, they're embarrassed, not something they really want to talk about," he said.
Herman said he's been contacted by several other possible victims and is vetting their cases.

Credit : Huffington Post

Sesame Street Responds To Bert & Ernie Marriage Allegations

"Bert and Ernie are best friends.  They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics...they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."

— STATEMENT on Sesame Workshop's Facebook page, in response to an online petition calling for Bert and Ernie to get married

Rainbow Connection? Online Push Under Way for Bert and Ernie to Get Married on 'Sesame Street'

An online push is under way to pressure the producers of "Sesame Street" into having Bert and Ernie get married.

More than 900 people have signed a petition about the pair of platonic puppets on Change.org as of early Wednesday.

"We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful," the petition reads. "It can be done in a tasteful way. Let us teach tolerance of those that are different."

The sexuality of Bert and Ernie -- perhaps the kid show's most popular characters -- has long been debated since the roommates sleep in the same room and constantly bicker.

The petition also asks that "Sesame Street" producers consider adding a transgender character to the show, which premiered in 1969 on Public Broadcasting Service.

The online campaign also has a companion Facebook page that has attracted as least 350 supporters as of Wednesday.

"Part of me is laughing and the other is crying," one posting read.

Another read: "Is Elton John going to play at the wedding?"

In a statement to FoxNews.com, the non-profit Sesame Workshop said the pair are simply "best friends."

"They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves," the statement read.

VIDEO: Snippet “Sesame Street” does a video for Kanye West’s song “Monster"

The video for Kanye West’s new single “Monster”, featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj was leaked last week. Other than Nicki Minaj’s gigantic ass, the video is kind of confusing. So someone did a version with “Sesame Street” characters. And it’s like 100 million times better.

I’m personally hoping this guy finishes the video, if only to see who gets the privilege of playing Nicki Minaj. If ever there were a time for Snuffaluffagus to embrace his massive brown ass, this would be it.