November 21, 2012 | Arts / Entertainment

Elmo puppeteer resigns after second allegation

Kevin Clash, the puppeteer who created the Elmo known and loved around the world, has resigned.

His troubles started last week when one man, Sheldon Stephens, claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Clash when Stephens was only 16. He then recanted the story and allegedly accepted $125,000 to go away. And then he said he was lying when he admitted he was lying about the relationship.

Well, a second man has come out claiming that he was also in a relationship with Clash that would be deemed illegal in most of the US.

Cecil Singleton, now 24, claimed that he met Clash through a gay chat line when he was only 15. He is seeking $5 million in damages.

He said the two met and had sexual contact but no intercourse. He said he only came forward after hearing about Stephens' case.

"I thought I was a unique circumstance," Singleton said. "I did not know that it was something he had done habitually."

Singleton's lawyer, Jeff Herman, hinted there might be two other men with similar claims. Having sex with a person under 17 is a felony in New York if the perpetrator is 21 or older.

"Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work 'Sesame Street' is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer," the 52-year-old performer said in a statement. "I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately."

Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash resigns from Sesame Street  [The Star]