Just a day after publicly denying a sexual assault allegation, former Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto is now facing fresh accusations from a second woman.
The 48-year-old comedian has been accused of “unwanted behaviors” by a former employee, who claims his actions amounted to sexual harassment.
Allegations from a Former Employee
The latest accuser, who once worked for Gatto during his time on Impractical Jokers, alleges that his behavior toward her became “very flirtatious” once she turned 18.
According to her, he would inappropriately grab her, ask for back massages, and even invite her to his room under the pretense of cuddling.
She also claims that he frequently asked her about her sex life.
Gatto’s representative has not responded directly to the latest allegations but referred to the statement he made previously, where he admitted to “poor judgment” but denied any wrongdoing.
A Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
The accuser claims that before she officially began working for Gatto, another employee warned her about his behavior.
She was allegedly advised to shut down any inappropriate advances immediately.
She also claims that Gatto bragged about being in an open relationship with his wife, Bessy Gatto, though she now believes that statement to be untrue.
According to the woman, Gatto messaged her on social media, calling her “hot” and expressing jealousy when she posted photos with her boyfriend.
She also alleges that during a work trip, he grabbed her upper thigh in a hotel elevator and later admitted that he “knew” he would make her uncomfortable.
Allegations of a Toxic Work Environment
The former employee describes a work environment where she constantly had to “keep him at ease” for fear of losing her job.
She claims that if she rejected his advances, he would become rude at work the next day.
She also accuses him of emotional manipulation, saying she endured this pattern of behavior for two years before leaving.
She recalled frequent instances where Gatto joked about bringing women up the freight elevator to avoid the building’s lobby, something that reminded her of the earlier allegations made against him by TikTok user Joozyb.
The First Accusation That Sparked Controversy
The latest allegations come just after TikTok user Joozyb accused Gatto of sexually assaulting her when she was 19.
She claimed that after meeting him at a comedy show in Milwaukee in September 2023, he messaged her on Instagram, put their conversation in “vanish mode” (which hides messages), and invited her to his hotel.
Though she did not go into detail about the alleged assault, she shared a photo of a large bruise on her backside, claiming it was caused by him.
Gatto denied these claims but admitted to making “poor choices” and announced he would be stepping back from the public eye.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Speculation
As Gatto faces these accusations, reactions have been mixed.
Some of his supporters have questioned the validity of the claims, while others have expressed disappointment.
The TikTok accuser acknowledged the skepticism, stating that “not everyone is who you think they are.”
Despite the serious allegations, Gatto has not been charged with any crimes by law enforcement.
However, the claims have sparked discussions about power dynamics in the entertainment industry and the responsibilities of public figures.
With Gatto stepping away from the spotlight, only time will tell how this situation unfolds.