Fourth Accuser Sues Former Elmo Puppeteer Kevin Clash

A fourth accuser in the Kevin Clash scandal has emerged and is suing the former voice of Elmo. The fourth accuser has not been identified but is claiming that he and Clash engaged in sex when he was a minor.

The anonymous fourth accuser, referred to as "John Doe," filed the lawsuit in a federal court, said his attorney, Jeff Herman. He says he met Kevin Clash when Clash was visiting Miami Beach, Fla., in 1995 or 1996. At the time of Clash's visit, the accuser was 16 or 17 years old. The two met and stayed in contact as Clash went home to New York, according to Herman.

Clash stayed in touch with the plaintiff and, according to Herman, eventually invited him to New York. Clash promised John Doe a place to stay, money, his airfare from Florida to New York and to be a “dad” to him. Herman said the offer was enticing since John Doe wanted to run away from home.

The fourth accuser stayed with Clash for four days, said Herman, and engaged in various sexual encounters, including anal and oral intercourse.

Herman commented on the lawsuit on his law firm's blog stating, “According to our lawsuit, Kevin Clash knowingly paid to transport a minor across state lines for the purpose of satisfying his sexual interests.”

Herman also represents the second and third accusers who have filed lawsuits against Clash.

Clash resigned from Sesame Workshop, ending his employment as the voice and puppeteer behind Elmo, after the second accuser filed a lawsuit. In response to the fourth accuser's lawsuit, Clash's attorney, Michael Berger, issued a statement, saying “the lawsuit is without merit and we will vigorously defend the case and Mr. Clash's reputation,” reports USA Today.