Elmo voice actor Kevin Clash hit with fifth allegation of sexual abuse

Kevin Kiadii's case "follow[s] the same pattern" as the others, according to lawyer Jeff Herman

Published April 3, 2013 1:59PM (EDT)

Another man has sued Kevin Clash over allegations of child sexual abuse, making it the fifth allegation and fourth lawsuit against the disgraced Elmo voice actor. The case is being handled by lawyer Jeff Herman, who represents the other cases against Clash, and says the details of the accusation "follow the same pattern" as the others.

More on the lawsuit, from the New York Daily News:

"In papers filed in Manhattan federal court, Kevin Kiadii said he met Clash, who's 27 years Kiadii’s senior, in 2004. Kiadii, who was just 16 at the time, says he 'went on a gay telephone chat line to meet friends who were also gay,' and wound up meeting Clash, his suit says.

'Clash invited Kiadii to come to his apartment in Manhattan,' and sent a luxury car service to pick the teen up in Brooklyn, the filing says.

When he got to Clash's pad, the puppeteer plied him with 'alcohol and groomed him with attention and affection,' the suit says. They then 'engaged in sexual contact,' the suit says.

Clash's lawyer responded in a statement, calling the lawsuit "meritless" and "barred by the statute of limitations."


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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