NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on a performer known as Grandma the clown who resigned from the Big Apple Circus following accusations that he pressured a 16-year-old aerialist to pose for pornographic photos.
(all times local):
2:10 p.m.
An official at a Vermont-based youth circus says she doesn't know when or where a former circus performer met a 16-year-old aerialist he pressured into posing for pornographic photos.
Circus Smirkus Executive Director Jennifer Carlo says Wednesday the victim traveled with the youth circus from 2002-2004 and could have met Barry Lubin, also known as Grandma the clown. She says it was common for Circus Smirkus performers to meet other members of the circus world.
At the time Lubin was not employed by Circus Smirkus .
Lubin says the allegations are true and has apologized.
His accuser says she first met Lubin while she toured with Circus Smirkus. She says the incidents happened in 2004 while she was performing with the Big Apple Circus in New York.
Carlo says Circus Smirkus has severed its relationship with Lubin, who worked for the circus as recently as last summer.
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10: 25 p.m. Tuesday
A beloved circus performer known as Grandma the clown has resigned from the Big Apple Circus following accusations that he pressured a 16-year-old aerialist to pose for pornographic photos.
The circus's chairman, Neil Kahanovitz, told The New York Times on Tuesday that 65-year-old Barry Lubin offered his resignation on Friday shortly after the alleged victim came forward.
In a statement released by his lawyer, Lubin apologized for his conduct, saying the sexual misconduct allegations are true and that he takes full responsibility for his actions.
The female victim said it happened during the Big Apple's 2004 season in New York. She said she was at first hired to work with the mini-troupe, but then Lubin persuaded her to model for his personal photography business.
