Joe Gatto of the prank show Impractical Jokers has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who goes by the name Joozyb online. Gatto denies the allegations.
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Gatto via email and to Joozyb via social media outside of regular working hours for comment.
The Context
Gatto, 48, appeared on the prank show Impractical Jokers from 2011 to 2021.
He has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who has posted a number of videos to TikTok where she details the allegations.
What To Know
Gatto has issued a statement denying the allegations, which Variety reported. Gatto said that he used “poor judgement,” but that “anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone.”
His statement continued that he is going to “take some time away from the public eye.”
The TikTok user who posted the video under the name Joozyb said that she met Gatto in Milwaukee in September 2023 when she was 19 years old. She alleges that she was abused by him at a hotel after she was invited to see one of his stand-up comedy shows.
Joozyb has posted multiple videos on TikTok about Gatto where she details the alleged assault. She alleges in one of the videos, “I got sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto.” She added that she had been talking about her experience for “over a year” and had not expected that it would go viral.
These videos have amassed millions of views online, with one post receiving over 20 million views as of press time.
Joozyb says in the video that she does not want to go into the details “about everything,” but that she did not want “any girl to feel” the way she claims Gatto made her feel. She posted pictures of a bruise, which she alleged the star caused by his teeth.
Gatto was involved with Impractical Jokers up until 2021. He shared a statement on Instagram in January of that year announcing his departure from the show.
He wrote, “Alongside my friends, I’ve devoted a decade of my life to building this franchise and couldn’t be prouder of what has been accomplished. However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away. Bessy and I have decided to amicably part ways, so now I need to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids.”
Gatto later announced in September of 2023 that he and his wife had reconciled.
His departure from the show led to online speculation, with fans questioning why he had left.
What People Are Saying
Joe Gatto in his statement: “I have used poor judgement and as a result have violated the trust of people I love most. 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.”
Joozyb in her TikTok video: “I got sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto, the impractical joker. I’m sorry if you don’t wanna believe it. The people you idolize are not always gonna be good.”
What’s Next
The show Impractical Jokers is in its 11th season and airs on TBS.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected].
The post ‘Impractical Jokers’ Joe Gatto Sexual Assault Allegations: What We Know appeared first on Newsweek.
