Latest news with #JoeGatto
Axios
12-06-2025
- Axios
Fireworks snitches wanted: Des Moines offers tips to help police
Des Moines is helping residents become fireworks finks by offering tips on how to report, testify against, and assist in convicting those who use them illegally. Why it matters: City leaders are facing a frustrating dilemma — they must legally allow fireworks on certain days due to a new state law, while also dealing with hundreds of resident complaints, persistent property damage, and limited resources to enforce violations each year. Driving the news: On Monday, the City Council voted to allow fireworks during certain times to celebrate the Fourth of July and New Year's. Context: The city was one of several metro cities that had year-round personal fireworks bans until the Legislature took precedence over its authority this year. Flashback: Police have long warned that widespread enforcement is impractical and that it can take police hours to respond to complaints. Only a few tickets have been issued in recent years, mainly because securing a conviction requires a witness who can identify perpetrators and is also willing to provide testimony. What they're saying: Among the most significant concerns is damage to Des Moines parks, Councilperson Joe Gatto said during this week's council meeting. Mayor Connie Boesen said the city is also working to help the public understand what they should do to assist police in issuing a citation. Zoom in: Videos of incidents are valuable, but sharing them on social media alone is insufficient for a conviction, Sgt. Paul Parizek tells Axios. If an officer does not witness a violation, the department needs a complainant who will make themselves available for court hearings if needed, he said. The intrigue: Generally, law enforcement can write citations up to a year after an illegal fireworks event, allowing time for investigations, Parizek said. The City Council reduced fines from $625 to $200 last year to better align with consequences in other metro cities. What's next: DSM's ordinance now permits fireworks on private property from 9am-10pm on July 3; 9am-11pm on July 4; and 9am to midnight on Dec. 31.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Gatto cancels Evansville tour stop amid sexual assault allegations
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Comedian Joe Gatto, best known from the hit TV show Impractical Jokers, has canceled his upcoming tour dates, including one in Evansville. Ticketmaster's website says his show at Old National Events Plaza on June 19 is canceled. Ticketmaster says it will issue a refund to the original method of payment. This comes after Gatto was recently hit with allegations of sexual assault, which he denies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Impractical Jokers' Joe Gatto accused of inappropriate conduct by teens amid prior assault allegations
Former 'Impractical Jokers' star Joe Gatto is facing new accusations of inappropriate behavior, this time from two teenage girls who say the comedian made unsettling requests during multiple encounters in late 2024. Grace Kennedy and Brianna Ochoa, a recent high school graduate, shared their experience in a 10-minute TikTok video, claiming Gatto encouraged them to kiss, asked them to lift their shirts, and stroked their stomachs. They also alleged he messaged them in Instagram's vanish mode, asking for nudes and inviting them to his hotel room. Screenshots shared by the teens include messages from Gatto suggesting they wear pajamas to a show, as well as a Venmo payment of $35 from 'Joe G,' which they say was for 'gas and Chipotle.' The two said they ultimately declined his invitation to visit his hotel room. 'It felt wrong — he's nearly 50, married, with kids,' Brianna said. The latest claims come days after separate accusations from a TikTok user alleging Gatto sexually assaulted her after a show in Milwaukee in 2023. A former employee also accused Gatto of 'unwanted behaviors,' saying he became flirtatious when she turned 18, invited her to cuddle, and asked for back massages. In response, Gatto issued a statement acknowledging poor judgment: 'I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most. But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn't assault anyone.' He later announced he had voluntarily entered an inpatient program and canceled his upcoming comedy tour. 'I've decided to take time away from the public eye to focus my energies where I need to,' he added.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
James Murray accused of sending inappropriate messages to minor, allegations surface amid 'Impractical Jokers' fallout
James Murray, star of the comedy series 'Impractical Jokers,' is under scrutiny after a Reddit user accused him of exchanging inappropriate messages with her when she was a minor. The allegations emerged on March 27, 2025, just days after fellow comedian Joe Gatto faced separate sexual misconduct claims. The woman, using the handle @Pretend_Crab_9160, shared screenshots on the subreddit r/ImpracticalJokers, which have since been removed. The messages allegedly took place from February 2012 to January 2013, when the fan was 16 years old and Murray was 35. In one message, Murray reportedly wrote, "Haha, you're awesome… Once you turn 18, email me the same question and I'll be happy to answer." When the girl teased him about staying single until she came of age, he allegedly replied, "I'll do my best, promise." Oh Oh that's more accusations regarding Murr from the Impractical Jokers — Flutac 🇵🇸🇨🇩 (@Flutaccc) March 27, 2025 The user, who identified herself as Melyssa, claimed the two also exchanged messages about explicit topics, including "d*ldos," and even said "I love you" to each other. She wrote, "I've only shared what I feel comfortable with at the moment. Censored for obvious reasons. I was 16/17 when I first reached out to say I was a fan, that's when he offered meet and greet tickets." According to her post, the pair met in person in both London and New York. "We met up again a few times when he came to London. I would go to the parties and stay in his hotel," she stated. "He bought me lots of nice things, gave me money for private taxis, and things no adult would have been needing money for." One text from Murray allegedly read, "I will not say until me meet in person!!" She said she was uncomfortable with the secrecy and labeled it as "unfair" at the time In a particularly troubling recollection, she alleged that during a trip to New York City, Murray invited her to meet him in the middle of the night. "This all happened between the ages of 16-18. Please remember I was young, I thought this celebrity liked me and that it was the coolest thing ever at the time. I acknowledge my part in this, but people need to be aware so something worse doesn't happen." She added, "His management and team were there. He gave us all access passes, and at the afterparty, both of us minors were given shots all night." The screenshots also appear to show Murray thanking her for a video, calling her "cute," and arranging tickets to his show. "Haha, thanks! Anytime!" she responded to one of the compliments. Murray has yet to respond publicly to the allegations. Notably, one Redditor pointed out he had liked a TikTok video discussing Joe Gatto's case, further fueling online criticism.
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Joe Gatto checks into inpatient program, cancels comedy tour amid sexual misconduct allegations
Joe Gatto has voluntarily checked into an inpatient treatment facility and reportedly canceled his ongoing comedy tour following sexual misconduct allegations from two women, including a former employee. The former 'Impractical Jokers' star shared a statement via People magazine on March 26: "Having taken some time to reflect, I've decided to voluntarily enter an inpatient program to continue working on myself." The announcement comes just days after a TikTok user, known as @joozyb, accused the married comedian of sexually assaulting her in Milwaukee in 2023, when she was 19. She posted alleged evidence, including images of bruises, claiming the incident occurred after one of Gatto's shows. Gatto denied the assault in a statement to Page Six on March 22 but admitted to using "poor judgment" and "violating the trust of the people I love most." A second accuser, who spoke anonymously to People, claimed she worked for Gatto and was warned by colleagues that he could be "flirty and handsy." She alleged inappropriate behavior starting when she was 18, including unwanted massages, flirtatious comments, and repeated inquiries about her sex life. She said Gatto often acted jealous when she posted photos with her boyfriend. The comedian's current tour, Let's Get Into It, which began in January and was set to run through mid-June, is reportedly canceled, though no formal announcement has been made on which dates are affected. Despite the controversy, Gatto thanked his supporters, saying, "I want to thank my friends, fans, and my family for all their support, especially in the last couple of days." Joe Gatto is married to his wife, Bessy, and the couple shares two children, Milana and Remington.
