Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in English
No laughing matter.
Former “Impractical Jokers” star Joe Gatto is shutting down a TikTok user’s claims that he sexually assaulted her when she was 19 years old — but admits he didn’t make good decisions.
“I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most,” the comedian tells Page Six exclusively on Saturday.
“But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone.”
Gatto, 48, added, “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.”
The woman, who goes by joozyb on TikTok, began to go viral due to her allegations on Thursday.
“I got sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto, the ‘Impractical Joker,’” she claimed in a video posted on the social media platform.
She then claimed in a second video that the incident took place in a hotel after she met up with the comic at one of his shows in Milwaukee in September 2023 — when he just “got back together with his wife.”
The TikTok user did not go into great detail about what allegedly occurred between her and Gatto during the alleged assault. She claimed, however, that “some stuff happened.”
As evidence of them meeting, the woman provided screenshots of a DM exchange in which the “Misery Index” alum allegedly said he left “two meet and greet passes” for her and complimented her appearance.
They had run into each other earlier in the day at brunch, where the woman admitted she was “fangirling” over Gatto. She claimed they continued exchanging messages on Instagram throughout the day, leading up to his standup show and after the event.
“I was drunk, whatever, and he was texting me all this stuff. And, like, it was starting to get a little weird, you know,” the TikTok user alleged. She also provided a picture of them posing together as more proof.
She claimed that, at one point, Gatto put their DMs on vanish mode, which conceals their messages, and he then provided her with information on where he was spending the night.
The woman concluded, “I’ve been wanting to tell people this for so long.
“I’ve like, tried in different ways, but it’s hard with somebody this big. [I’ve] come to the realization that if I do say something, that I’m really saying something.”
Page Six has reached out to her for more information but did not immediately hear back.
Gatto has gone through a series of personal challenges in recent years. He left “Impractical Jokers” in 2021 after 10 years on the prank show to work on his family life following his split from his wife.
“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,” he said in a statement on Instagram at the time.
“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.”
Gatto then shared in September 2023 that he and his wife, Bessy Gatto, had decided to reconcile. The couple shares two children: Milana and Remington “Remo.”
