Judge Tosses Three Lawsuits Against Elmo Actor

Says they waited too long before accusing him of sexual abuse

Three lawsuits brought by men who said former Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash sexually abused them when they were underage were tossed out by a federal judge who said in a decision published Monday that the men waited too long to sue.

U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl said the claims came more than six years after each man reasonably should have become aware of Clash's alleged violations and more than three years after each turned 18. One other lawsuit is pending in Pennsylvania.

Clash resigned from "Sesame Street" in November after college student Cecil Singleton sued him for more than $5 million, accusing Clash of having sex with him when he was 15.