1 hr ago
Wheel of Fortune Announcer Suspended Amid Website Allegations Investigation
Jim Thornton is the announcer on Wheel of Fortune.
He was suspended after a passenger reported seeing a troubling website on his laptop.
This reportedly happened on a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles on May 14.
Police met the plane when it landed and questioned him.
The reports do not say that he was arrested or charged.
Thornton’s lawyer says he was looking for a suicide-prevention chat forum.
She says someone sent him to a website with a similar-looking address by mistake.
According to the lawyer, Thornton left the site when he understood what it was.
Wheel of Fortune is using another announcer while the studio investigates.
Jim Thornton was suspended from Wheel of Fortune after allegations concerning a May 14 incident.
A passenger reportedly saw what appeared to be a child-abuse chat room on Thornton’s laptop during an American Airlines flight.
Law enforcement questioned Thornton after the flight arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.
Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, said he was accidentally directed to the site while seeking suicide-prevention support.
Sony Pictures Television said Thornton’s role would be temporarily recast while it conducts an investigation.
- Who
- Jim Thornton, his attorney Allison Hart, Sony Pictures Television, and law enforcement are involved; a fellow passenger reported the alleged website.
- What
- Thornton was suspended from Wheel of Fortune after allegations related to content reportedly seen on his laptop.
- Where
- The incident reportedly occurred aboard American Airlines Flight 1276 traveling from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles; authorities questioned Thornton at Los Angeles International Airport.
- When
- The reported incident occurred on May 14, and the suspension and investigation followed nearly a week later.
- Why
- Sony Pictures Television said it suspended Thornton and began an investigation after becoming aware of allegations; his attorney says he visited the site accidentally while seeking suicide-prevention support.
Thornton’s Attorney
Sony Pictures Television and Allegation Reports
How Thornton reached the website
Thornton’s Attorney
Allison Hart said Thornton was directed by an acquaintance to a site with a URL similar to the official 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline forums, and believed it offered suicide-prevention support.
Sony Pictures Television and Allegation Reports
Reports cited by the article said a passenger saw what appeared to be a chat room related to child sexual abuse on Thornton’s laptop and alerted airline personnel.
What happened after he recognized the site
Thornton’s Attorney
Hart said Thornton left the website once he understood its nature and did not return, describing the visit as accidental.
Sony Pictures Television and Allegation Reports
Sony Pictures Television said it was investigating allegations and suspended Thornton while the inquiry continues; it did not provide further details.
Thornton’s future on the show
Thornton’s Attorney
The attorney’s account presents the incident as a misunderstanding connected to Thornton’s suicide-prevention advocacy.
Sony Pictures Television and Allegation Reports
The studio is temporarily recasting Thornton’s announcer role, with no stated timeline for his return.
Key facts
- Person involved
- Jim Thornton, the Wheel of Fortune announcer
- Reported incident date
- May 14
- Flight
- American Airlines Flight 1276
- Route
- Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles
- Airport questioning
- Law enforcement questioned Thornton after the flight landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
- Defense explanation
- Attorney Allison Hart said Thornton was misdirected to a website resembling a suicide-prevention forum.
- Show’s response
- Sony Pictures Television suspended Thornton and is temporarily recasting his role during the investigation.
Quotes
Allison Hart
Attorney representing Jim Thornton
“My client has become active in suicide-prevention advocacy since losing a close family member to suicide two years ago, and he has spent time visiting chat rooms offering support to individuals suffering from suicidal ideation.”
wionews.com
Sony Pictures Television
Television production company responsible for Wheel of Fortune
“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.”
wionews.com
Sources
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