Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto denies sexual assault allegations, announces public hiatus

Former Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman following a comedy show in Milwaukee last year.

A TikTok user, who goes by @joozyb, posted a video on Friday, claiming, “I got sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto, the Impractical Joker.”

She alleged that the incident occurred in September 2023 after she met Gatto at one of his shows. While she did not provide specific details of the encounter, she shared screenshots of Instagram DMs in which Gatto allegedly left her two meet-and-greet passes at the box office.

The woman also included a photo of herself and her sister posing with Gatto backstage and claimed their private messages later became “a little weird.” She alleged that Gatto put their chat in vanish mode and provided details of his hotel location.

On Saturday, the 48-year-old comedian denied the allegations in a statement to Page Six, saying:

“Anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone.”

Gatto admitted to poor judgment but maintained that he had never engaged in non-consensual behaviour.

“I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most,” he stated.

He also announced that he would be stepping away from the public eye, saying, “I will be focusing my energies where I need to.”

Gatto shares two children, Milana and Remington “Remo”, with his wife Bessy Gatto. The couple, who briefly separated in 2021 before reconciling, has not publicly commented on the allegations.

As the situation unfolds, neither law enforcement nor Gatto’s legal team has issued further statements.