Kevin Clash accuser retracts statement he had underage gay sex with Elmo voice NEW YORK - The man who accused "Sesame Street's" Kevin Clash of having a sexual encounter with him when he was 16 has retracted his statements, ending the drama surrounding the PBS Elmo puppeteer. In a statement sent to FOX 411 from the unnamed accuser's attorneys at Andreozzi & Associates, P.C., the 23-year-old took back his allegation. "He wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship," the statement read. He will have no further comment on the matter. Clash, who has taken a leave of absence to deal with the accusation, is happy to be done with the investigation. "I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest," Clash said in a statement sent to FOX 411. I will not discuss it further. In 2011, Clash gave fans an up-close look at the man behind the muppet when he starred in the documentary "Being Elmo." Clash also co-authored a book about his journey in 2006 titled "My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me About Life, Love and Laughing Out Loud."