“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton denied wrongdoing after Sony Pictures Television suspended him on September 1 while investigating unspecified allegations.
Thornton’s attorney told TMZ that the 61-year-old television announcer did not engage in illegal conduct. The lawyer also said authorities neither arrested nor charged Thornton with a crime.
The attorney said law enforcement questioned Thornton for less than five minutes about a complaint from another airline passenger before allowing him to leave.
Sony Pictures Television confirmed the suspension to PEOPLE on September 1. The studio said it was recasting Thornton’s role while conducting a thorough investigation but did not disclose the nature of the allegations.
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TMZ linked the allegations to an incident on a commercial flight on May 14. American Airlines separately told PEOPLE that law enforcement met Flight 1276 at Los Angeles International Airport after a passenger raised concerns.
The airline did not identify Thornton or provide details about the complaint. Thornton has served as the “Wheel of Fortune” announcer since 2011.
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He succeeded longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell, who died in 2010. His other credits include announcing on “The Price Is Right” and “The Soup,” as well as voice roles in “The Cleveland Show” and “Monsters, Inc.”
