Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto has been accused of inappropriate behavior by a second woman, just a day after denying a sexual assault claim from another woman.
The comedian, 48, is now being accused of ‘unwanted behaviors’ by a former employee, who characterized them as ‘sexual harassment’ according to People.
The woman claims she first met him during one of his live shows when she was 15, and alleges that his behavior changed when she turned 18 and became ‘very flirtatious.’
The employee previously worked for Gatto during his time on Impractical Jokers, prior to his departure in 2021.
During her time working for Gatto, the woman alleges he at times ‘inappropriately grabbed her’ and ‘asked for back massages.’ She further alleges that Gatto invited her to his room with a request to cuddle, and repeatedly asked her about her sex life.
When reached for comment, Gatto’s representative told DailyMail.com to refer to the statement he issued the day prior, where he denied allegations made by TikTok user Joozyb.
Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto, 48, has been accused of inappropriate behavior be a second woman, just a day after denying a sexual assault claim from another woman; seen in 2023
He told 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.’
He added that 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.
His second accuser claims that shortly after graduating college, before she began her job, a former employee reportedly warned her that the comedian could be ‘flirty and handsy,’ and often ‘told inappropriate jokes.’
She said the employee advised her to immediately put a stop to any ‘creepy’ behavior.
While working for Gatto, the woman alleges he would often ‘brag’ about being in an open relationship with wife Bessy Gatto, 42, a claim she now believes to be untrue.
Gatto, who shares two kids with Bessy, stepped away from the show following the split from his wife, saying he wanted to focus on co-parenting with her after their breakup. The couple subsequently got back together in September 2023.
The accuser claims Gatto privately messaged her on social media, calling her ‘hot’ and displayed possessive behavior, expressing jealousy when she posted photos of her boyfriend.
She alleges that the comedian once grabbed her upper thigh when they were in a hotel elevator during a work trip.
He is being accused of ‘unwanted behaviors’ by a former employee, who characterized them as ‘sexual harassment’ according to People. The employee worked for Gatto during his time on Impractical Jokers, prior to his departure in 2021; Gatto (second from right) seen in a still from Impractical Jokers
The woman claims she first met him during one of his live shows when she was 15, and alleges that his behavior changed when she turned 18 and became ‘very flirtatious’; seen in 2021
During her time working for Gatto, the woman alleges he at times ‘inappropriately grabbed her’ and ‘asked for back massages.’ She further alleges that Gatto invited her to his room with a request to cuddle, and repeatedly asked her about her sex life
The woman alleges he would often ‘brag’ about being in an open relationship with wife Bessy Gatto, 42, a claim she now believes to be untrue; Joe and Bessy seen in 2021
Gatto, who shares two kids with Bessy, stepped away from the show following the split from his wife, saying he wanted to focus on co-parenting with her after their breakup. The couple subsequently got back together in September 2023
She responded by moving away from him, while Gatto allegedly stated he ‘knew’ he would make her uncomfortable on the trip.
She claims that on another work trip he ‘insisted’ his employees join him in his room to drink. Gatto, who has stated he is sober, did not drink, but encouraged others to do so, according to the source.
She also alleges that Gatto became ‘rude’ at work the day after she rejected his advances or refused to reciprocate his flirting, and that she felt she had to constantly ‘work to keep him at ease’ out of fear of losing her job.
She describes this as part of a broader pattern of alleged emotional manipulation that persisted throughout her two-year employment, until she left.
The woman also stated that Gatto’s frequent jokes about bringing women up the freight elevator, to bypass the building’s lobby, in their two-bedroom apartment office, reminded her of joozyb’s TikTok testimony.
On Saturday, Gatto denied a TikToker’s claim that he sexually assaulted her when she was 19, but admitted he has ‘used poor judgement.’
Gatto 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.
It comes a day after Gatto denied TikToker Joozyb’s claim that he sexually assaulted her when she was 19, but admitted he ‘used poor judgement.’ The woman, 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
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
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 ‘here’s what he did… with his TEETH.’
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.’
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: ‘I’m sorry if you don’t want to believe it.’
‘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 said in a statement on Saturday; pictured in 2024
‘But the people you idolize are not always going to be good. They’re gonna do s****y things, and they’re 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 group’s comedy troupe The Tenderloins in 2021.
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.’