The man behind the furry red Muppet Elmo is facing another lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse.
Kevin Kiadii, now 25, claims he was 16 when “Sesame Street” voice actor Kevin Clash coerced him into having sex in the man’s Manhattan apartment, according to a civil complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court.
Now a makeup artist, Kiadii claims he met Clash online as a teen.
“Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo, trolled gay telephone chat line rooms to meet and have sex with under-aged boys,” Kiadii’s complaint said.
Clash allegedly had Kiadii chauffeured from the boy’s Brooklyn home to his Upper West Side pad in limousines for sexual encounters at all hours of the night.
Kiadii said that he felt taken advantage of as the older Clash “groomed” him for sex.
“Kevin Clash gave Kiadii alcohol and groomed him with attention and affection,” the lawsuit said.
“This was Kiadii’s first sexual experience with an adult male.”
Kiadii insisted he’s not out for an easy pay day.
“I know there will be people who say I’m greedy, but it’s not about that,” Kiadii told the Daily Mail. “It’s not really about the lawsuit or the money, it’s about wanting people to hear my story.”
The lawsuit is the fifth filed against the 52-year-old puppeteer, who left his gig at “Sesame Street” late last year amid the sexual-harassment allegations.
Clash’s lawyer has said Kiadii’s allegations are without merit.
Additional reporting by David K. Li