WASHINGTON (CBSDC) - The man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of having sex with him when he was underage has recanted his story.

In a statement released through a Pennsylvania law firm, the accuser – who has remained unidentified – is now saying his sexual relationship with Clash was adult and consensual.

Clash, a Baltimore native, said in a statement of his own, he is “relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest.”

Clash was accused of having a sexual relationship with the man when the accuser was just sixteen years old.

Sesame Workshop said Clash had taken a leave of absence from “Sesame Street”  on Monday after the allegations surfaced.