Elmo Puppeteer Accuser Stands By His Original Allegations

Sheldon Stephens, the man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of sexual misconduct, is now standing by his original story.

Stephens, 23, first told authorities he and Clash had sex when he was just 16 years old. Then, Stephens entered a settlement deal with Clash and received $125,000 in exchange for retracting his claims. However, Stephens now says the original allegations are the truth.

According to TMZ, Stephens met with lawyers in Los Angeles and is willing to forfeit the money to restore his name. Stephens says he was crying during the settlement’s final negotiation because he did not want to sign. 

The agreement read: “Stephens agrees that immediately upon execution of this Agreement, his counsel, Andreozzi & Associates, P.C., shall release the [following] statement … ‘He [Stephens] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship.'”

In the midst of the allegations, Clash took a leave of absence from his job on Sesame Street. His lawyers told TMZ that he has no comment.