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“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton is defending himself through his lawyer after he was suspended this week.
His attorney told TMZ on Tuesday that the 61-year-old “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.”
A spokesperson for Sony Pictures Television Studios told Fox News Digital on Tuesday: “We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton. He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune, and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”
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Thornton was hired as an announcer for the game show in 2011.
The alleged incident was related to an American Airlines flight Thornton took in May, according to TMZ, in which another passenger complained about Thornton’s behavior. He was met by law enforcement at the gate.
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“On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard,” the airline told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
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His lawyer added to TMZ: “When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go.”
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Thornton replaced iconic “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Charlie O’Donnell after O’Donnell’s death in 2010.
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Before joining “Wheel of Fortune” and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” he did voices for shows like “Celebrity Death Match,” “The Cleveland Show” and Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”
He has also announced on “The Price is Right” and “Jeopardy!” And he’s worked for KNX 1070 news radio since 1985.
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Thornton has received numerous awards during his career, including the Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy, according to his “Wheel of Fortune” biography.
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