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Fla. man sues ex-Elmo puppeteer, claims NY abuse

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After speaking by phone for several days, Clash invited the youth to visit his Manhattan apartment, the lawsuit said.

At the apartment, Clash gave the teenager alcohol, and they engaged in sexual contact, including oral sex, the lawsuit said. While in the apartment, the youth spotted numerous Elmo dolls and photographs of Elmo with famous people such as Beyonce and Tyra Banks but didn't learn Clash's history until he moved to New York after high school at age 18 and engaged in a sexual relationship with him, the lawsuit said.

The youth was a compliant victim and did not become aware he had suffered adverse psychological and emotional effects from the sexual acts until this year, the lawsuit said.

Clash's lawyer, Michael Berger, said in a statement that the federal cases filed against Clash are without merit.

"The cases and Mr. Clash's reputation will be defended vigorously," he said.

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