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The 23-year-old man who claimed he had sexual relations with Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash when he was just 16 has publicly retracted his allegations of abuse.

Related: Voice of Elmo Accused of Relationship with Boy

Via his lawyer, Clash's accuser recanted his statements on Tuesday, telling The New York Times that his past relationship with the puppeteer was in fact, a "adult consensual" one.

"I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest," said Clash in a response statement. "I will not discuss it further."

On Monday, Clash took a leave of absence from Sesame Workshop to take actions against the allegations he maintained were "false and defamatory."

"I had a relationship with the accuser," the puppeteer said in a statement. "It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was."