Former Impractical Jokers star Joe Gatto is addressing assault allegations made against him by a TikTok user with the username @joozyb, denying the accusations and stating that he wouldn’t assault anyone. Gatto admits to using poor judgment and violating the trust of his loved ones, leading to him taking a step back from the public eye to focus on himself and his personal growth. The TikTok user claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Gatto in September 2023 in Milwaukee, shortly after he had reunited with his wife, but did not provide specific details about the incident.
In addition to the assault allegations, the TikTok user shared screenshots of direct messages exchanged with Gatto, where he mentioned leaving meet and greet passes for her at a show and continued to communicate with her afterward. The woman stated that she had been wanting to speak out about the incident for a long time but found it difficult due to Gatto’s status. The allegations have led to inquiries from Us Weekly to Gatto’s representatives for comments on the situation. The situation has brought about a negative spotlight on Gatto and raised questions about his behavior and interactions with fans.
Gatto’s personal life and relationship with his wife, Bessy Gatto, were also under scrutiny as they had previously split up in January 2022. During his first stand-up appearance since leaving Impractical Jokers, Gatto addressed his marital status briefly in a joke, indicating that life was going well for him. The comedian also made jokes about his pets, particularly the 17 dogs he shared with his wife, showing that his family life was a focus of his comedy routines. Despite the personal challenges he faced, Gatto remained committed to his scheduled comedy shows in the Midwest region.
The couple shares two children, daughter Milana and son Remington, and Gatto’s jokes during his stand-up performance were limited to light-hearted topics such as his pets and family. The insider who attended the show noted that Gatto avoided delving deeply into his personal life and quickly moved on to other topics during his performance. Gatto’s decision to take a break from the public eye following the assault allegations and focus on his personal growth may have implications for his future career and public image. The situation highlights the complexities of navigating fame and personal relationships in the public eye.
