Fury said:

My take-- there was something there that could have damaged Clash (no grown ass man should be "friendly" with a 16-year old that you just happen to start having sex with when they turn legal--- thus a six figure settlement to make it all Go away.

In my opinion, any details that would have been exposed, of even a respectable romantic relationship between two adult men, would have been enough to have destroyed the Elmo brand, thus effectively ending the career of Kevin Clash. I no longer automatically see pay-offs as an indication of any wrong-doing.

PDogz said:

Fury said:

My take-- there was something there that could have damaged Clash (no grown ass man should be "friendly" with a 16-year old that you just happen to start having sex with when they turn legal--- thus a six figure settlement to make it all Go away.

In my opinion, any details that would have been exposed, of even a respectable romantic relationship between two adult men, would have been enough to have destroyed the Elmo brand, thus effectively ending the career of Kevin Clash. I no longer automatically see pay-offs as an indication of any wrong-doing.

100% correct.

PDogz said:

I no longer automatically see pay-offs as an indication of any wrong-doing.

Yup.

[Edited 11/14/12 8:55am]

PDogz said:

Fury said:

My take-- there was something there that could have damaged Clash (no grown ass man should be "friendly" with a 16-year old that you just happen to start having sex with when they turn legal--- thus a six figure settlement to make it all Go away.

In my opinion, any details that would have been exposed, of even a respectable romantic relationship between two adult men, would have been enough to have destroyed the Elmo brand, thus effectively ending the career of Kevin Clash. I no longer automatically see pay-offs as an indication of any wrong-doing.

I disagree.

And everyone now knows that he is a gay man, and not enough people will give a shit to even tarnish the Elmo brand in the slightest.

It didn't become so big of a scandal to destroy it anyway. Besides Kevin walking away from the drama was a really good decision. I doubt it'll destroy the Elmo brand.

Timmy84 said:

It didn't become so big of a scandal to destroy it anyway. I doubt it'll destroy the Elmo brand.

...but it could have, had quick action not been taken (...in my opinion).

PDogz said:

Fury said:

My take-- there was something there that could have damaged Clash (no grown ass man should be "friendly" with a 16-year old that you just happen to start having sex with when they turn legal--- thus a six figure settlement to make it all Go away.

In my opinion, any details that would have been exposed, of even a respectable romantic relationship between two adult men, would have been enough to have destroyed the Elmo brand, thus effectively ending the career of Kevin Clash. I no longer automatically see pay-offs as an indication of any wrong-doing.

Agreed 100%.

Graycap23 said:

What a shock.

They need 2 start putting people like this is JAIL.

You would think there would be punishment instead of reward for slander, but I guess not. Door is wide open for more of this kind of stuff.

When Kevin took that leave of absence, I figured either he was going to sweet-talk the guy into recanting his story or offer him a settlement.

I guess Mittens should have gone after Elmo instead of Big Bird.

babynoz said:

I guess Mittens should have gone after Elmo instead of Big Bird.

Elmo puppeteer revealed t...ts: report

• By TIM PERONE
• Last Updated: 6:02 AM, November 15, 2012
• Posted: 9:14 PM, November 14, 2012

Sheldon Stephens

The man who accused Elmo Muppeteer Kevin Clash of having sex with him when he was underage has been identified as a wannabe model with multiple prior arrests — including one for a knifepoint robbery, according to a report.

The accuser, identified by the Smoking Gun web site as Sheldon Stephens, contacted Clash’s bosses at “Sesame Street” to claim he had sex with Clash when he was 16 years old.

Stephens, 24, quickly recanted Tuesday, one day after the allegations became public and Clash, 52, was forced to take a leave of absence from the beloved childhood program.

AP

Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash.

TMZ reported Stephens released the statement after lawyers for him and Clash began discussions on a possible “six-figure” financial settlement.

Clash, a divorced dad who lives on the Upper West Side, e-mailed Stephens in either 2010 or 2011 and apologized for not being able to keep his mind off the much younger man.

“I’m sorry that I keep talking to you about sex with you, it’s driving me insane,” Clash wrote, according to TMZ.

Stephens, of Harrisburg, Pa., lived in Brooklyn from 2007 to 2008 when, according to his résumé obtained by the Smoking Gun, he was an intern at Blowback Productions in Chelsea.

On his Facebook page, Stephens says, “I like to consider myself a rare breed. I’m very spontaneous and random...I’m determined and goal oriented. My destiny is laid on a solid gold brick pathway ... MY FUTURE IS BRIGHT and never will it dim.”

But Stephens’ past includes an arrest for allegedly robbing a former boss of a $250,000 gold necklace at knifepoint in 2009, according to the Smoking Gun.

Stephens allegedly ripped off the jewelry in California from music manager Darian Pollard after being fired from his internship.

Stephens was taken into custody after returning to Pennsylvania, but California authorities never pursued the case. the Smoking Gun reported.

Stephens, whose modeling Web site lists him as single, also has been arrested for passing a bad check, and reckless driving.

His mother, Felicia Stephens, 48, was busted in 2011 for allegedly stabbing her husband with scissors.

Felicia, charged with attempted murder, is free on bail pending trial in Pennsylvania.

Sheldon stood by his mother, telling the Harrisburg Patriot News, “My mom is the nicest person in the world.”

Sheldon did not return requests for comment.

Dude is a crook

[Edited 11/15/12 8:05am]

babynoz said:

I guess Mittens should have gone after Elmo instead of Big Bird.