Elmo Puppeteer's Sex Suits Dismissed By Federal Judge
The former puppeteer of Elmo of "Sesame Street" fame got relief from a federal court on Monday after the judge dismissed three separate civil claims against him for sexual abuse.
Kevin Clash, the man accused by the three suits of sexually assaulting several underage teenage boys, had performed as Elmo for almost three decades before these allegations surfaced, reports The Associated Press.
Judge John Koeltl tossed out the three lawsuits against Clash, claiming that the accusers' lawsuits were barred by New York's statute of limitations law.
The New York law allows victims of emotional or physical injuries up to three years after reaching the age of majority to file their claims, but all of the lawsuits filed after that cannot be heard.
All three lawsuits against Clash were filed too late according to Judge Koeltl, but his decision may be overturned on appeal.