News Digest

Last sex-abuse lawsuit against Elmo actor tossed

A judge in Pennsylvania dismissed the last of five sex-abuse lawsuits filed against the Emmy-winning puppeteer who voiced the “Sesame Street” character Elmo. The ruling said 25-year-old accuser Sheldon Stephens filed suit too late against actor Kevin Clash. Four similar lawsuits involving other accusers were previously dismissed in New York, where Clash lives.

Kevin is gratified that once again the courts have dismissed the claims against him. We believe we (can) … begin to turn our full attention to restoring Kevin’s personal and professional reputation … as an accomplished and respected artist.

Clash spokesman Nicholas Peters

Stephens accused Clash, now 53, of luring him into a sexual relationship after they met at a 2004 networking event for actors when he was about 16. Clash resigned from “Sesame Street” amid the accusations, even as he continued to rack up Daytime Emmy Awards for his work. He had spent 28 years playing Elmo on the popular Public Broadcasting Service show, winning more than two dozen Emmys. He never was charged criminally over any of the allegations.