Warning: Discussion of sexual assault.
Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto responded to a recent allegation of sexual assault.
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The 48-year-old comedian starred in Impractical Jokers until 2021, citing his then-split from his ex-wife and the need “to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids.”
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In a series of TikToks, a woman alleged that she had been “sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto.” In a TikTok that has been viewed 20 million times, she said, “I’ve literally been posting about this shit for over a year. I’ve been DMing celebrities and other people trying to get my story out here…Then it fucking blows up? And you guys don’t believe me.” She further shared an image of a large bruise on her buttocks, alleging, “Here’s what he did…With his TEETH.” In another video, she alleged that the incident happened when Joe invited her to his hotel room after meeting him in a restaurant when she was 19.
In response to the allegations, Joe said in a statement, “I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most.”
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“But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone. Working on myself is an ongoing process, and I am now going to take some time away from the public eye to focus my energies where I need to,” he concluded.
Following the emergence of the allegation, People spoke to another woman who claimed he acted inappropriately while he employed her. The source alleged that he would grab her, ask for massages, and make inappropriate comments. She claimed to have met Joe when she was 15, that his behavior became flirty once she turned 18, and that she began working for him after she graduated college. In response, a representative for Joe referred People to his previous statement.
We’ll keep you posted with any updates.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.
