Elmo Voice Accuser Recants Statutory Rape Allegations

The man who accused Kevin Clash -- the voice of Elmo -- of having sex with him when he was 16 has recanted his story! TMZ reports that lawyers of both sides have spoken to each other and there may have been a financial settlement.

I hate it when people openly lie like this then change their story. This smear campaign is so awful.

From TMZ:

The man who claims he had a sexual relationship with Kevin Clash -- the voice of Elmo -- is RECANTING his story ... claiming he WAS an adult during their relationship after all.

The accuser's lawyer just released a statement saying, "[The accuser] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. [The accuser] will have no further comment."

It's unclear why the accuser suddenly changed his story ... but sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... the accuser's attorney had been meeting with Clash's attorney as recent as an hour ago, discussing a possible financial settlement.