Elmo Resigns From 'Sesame Street'

In a sad turn of events, Kevin Clash, the voice behind the beloved “Sesame Street” character, Elmo, has resigned after a second accuser has come forward.

Sesame Workshop released this statement Tuesday:

“Sesame Workshop’s mission is to harness the educational power of media to help all children the world over reach their highest potential. Kevin Clash has helped us achieve that mission for 28 years, and none of us, especially Kevin, want anything to divert our attention from our focus on serving as a leading educational organization. Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin’s personal life has become a distraction that none of us want, and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job and has resigned from Sesame Street. This is a sad day for Sesame Street.”

Clash had originally been off the hook after his first accuser, Sheldon Stephens, retracted his accusation that Clash had participated in a sexual relationship while Stephens was a minor. However Stephens now and claims that he was paid $125,000 to make the retraction.

A second accuser, Cecil Singleton, has appeared, and sued Clash for $5 million, claiming a similar story. Singleton, 24 now, says he was 16 when he and Clash participated in a sexual relationship.

“Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work ‘Sesame Street’ is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer. I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately,” Clash has stated.

If convicted, Clash faces possible felony charges and prison time.