Wheel of Fortune Announcer Suspended After Alleged Pedophilia Chatroom Pics
hollywoodreporter.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Jim Thornton, longtime announcer for Wheel of Fortune, was reportedly suspended following an investigation sparked by alleged pedophilia-related chatroom photos taken on a flight in May.
- TMZ published screenshots from Thornton’s laptop, claimed to show chatroom activity linked to pedophiles, but these photos have not been independently verified by The Hollywood Reporter.
- Thornton’s attorney stated he was involved in suicide-prevention advocacy and had unintentionally entered a chatroom for people with pedophilic thoughts, leaving once he realized its nature; no illegal content was viewed or downloaded.
- Law enforcement questioned Thornton after the flight but did not arrest or charge him, concluding no crime had occurred, according to his attorney.
- Sony Pictures Television confirmed Thornton’s suspension and said they are recasting his role while conducting a thorough investigation into unspecified allegations.
