Actor Who Plays Elmo is Cleared of Sex Allegations

Forget about that Patraeus guy, the sex scandal that really matters is over. And you'll be happy to know that Elmo is not a statutory rapist! Kevin Clash, the puppeteer who portrays Elmo on "Sesame Street," is in the clear. The man who claimed he had a sexual relationship with Clash when he was 16 years old has recanted.

His attorneys issued a statement yesterday saying, quote, "[The accuser] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. [The accuser] will have no further comment." Clash released his own statement saying, quote, "I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further." And Sesame Workshop says, quote, "We are pleased that this matter has been brought to a close, and we are happy that Kevin can move on from this unfortunate episode."

While we want to believe this guy was lying the whole time, there's another, more cynical possibility. TMZ says attorneys for Clash and the accuser were discussing a settlement yesterday, and six figures were on the table at one point. Perhaps the accuser was paid to take it all back and go away quietly. Which would also explain why both he and Clash made it clear that they will not be discussing the situation any further.

The accuser had claimed that the affair happened seven years ago, when he was 16 and Clash was 45. Clash said the accuser was an adult at the time of their relationship.