Former Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto accused of sexual assault, admits to poor judgment

Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto has denied a TikTokers claim that he sexually assaulted her when she was 19, but admitted he has used poor judgement. 

Gatto, 48, was hit with allegations from TikTok user Joozyb, who did not give her name, claiming he assaulted her after she met him before one of his shows in Milwaukee in September 2023. 

The TikTok user claimed that after meeting Gatto and taking a picture with him, he offered her two meet and greet passes to his stand-up comedy show later that night. 

She included screenshots of her DMs with Gatto from the night she claims they met, alongside a picture she took with the comedian backstage at the show. 

After the show, she said they continued messaging each other, adding in her TikTok video: I was drunk, whatever, and he was texting me all this stuff. And, like, it was starting to get a little weird, you know. 

She claimed Gatto then put their messages on Instagram into vanish mode, which hides their conversation, and told her how to get to where he was staying that night. 

The accuser did not go into detail about the alleged sexual assault, but said that some stuff happened and shared an image of her backside with a large bruise across it, claiming heres what he did... with his TEETH. 

Gatto denied the allegations, telling Page Six: 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. 

Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto has denied a TikTokers claim that he sexually assaulted her when she was 19, but admitted he used poor judgement 

A TikTok user, who did not reveal her name, alleged that Gatto sexually assaulted her after she met him before one of his shows in Milwaukee in September 2023, and shared a backstage selfie they took together 

The comedian said he would be stepping back from the spotlight in response to the allegations. 

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, he said. 

Gatto has not been accused or charged with any crimes by any law enforcement agencies. 

The woman said she had been wanting to tell people this for so long after coming forward with her allegations this week.

I’ve like, tried in different ways, but it’s hard with somebody this big, I come to the realization that if I do say something, that I’m really saying something, she continued. 

She added in the caption to her TikTok clip: Idk what my goal is, I just want people to be aware that not everyone is who you think. 

DailyMail.com has contacted the accuser for further comment.  

She included screenshots of her DMs with Gatto from the night she claims they met, where he offered her two meet and greet passes to his stand-up comedy show later that night 

The accuser claimed that Gatto later turned their messages to vanish mode to hide their conversation before telling her where to meet him 

After the clip received millions of views, some viewers cast doubt over the allegations against Gatto and questioned what she would have expected from going to his hotel. 

The accuser responded to those questioning her story: Im sorry if you dont want to believe it. 

But the people you idolize are not always going to be good. Theyre gonna do s****y things, and theyre gonna take advantage of people. 

The allegations against Gatto come after the comedian faced personal challenges in recent years, including leaving Impractical Jokers and the groups comedy troupe The Tenderloins in 2021. 

Gatto stepped away from the show following his split from his wife Bessy Gatto, saying he wanted to focus on co-parenting with her after their breakup. The couple subsequently got back together in September 2023. 

Gatto denied the allegations, saying in response: 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 

In a statement at the time he left the group, Gatto said: 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.