'Impractical Jokers' Joe Gatto Slammed With Sexual Assault Accusation By TikToker

Joe Gatto's alleged victim is practically not joking as she levels some serious allegations against him.

The actor is now grappling with the accusation of sexual assault by a woman who was 19 years old in 2023, and it is all happening on TikTok.

Joe Gatto's scandal comes nearly two years after he reconnected with his estranged wife, Bessy Gatto, after initially parting ways in 2022.

A TikTok user accused Joe of sexual assault. She recounted her encounter with Joe during his performance in Milwaukee in September 2023.

She remembered being out with her mother and sister at a restaurant where Joe was, prompting them to request a photo with him. Later that day, she reportedly contacted the comedian via Instagram, hoping for free tickets to his comedy show. 

Joe seemingly responded by gifting her two tickets, and meet-and-greet passes for his show at the Pabst Theater on September 8, 2023. After attending the show alone, she took a photo with him and later conversed with her roommate over drinks.

During this time, she exchanged direct messages with the comedian on Instagram, which she described as becoming "a little weird." She also noted that Joe switched the conversation to vanish mode, a feature on Instagram that allows messages to disappear after they've been viewed or when the chat is exited.

She claimed that Joe provided her with directions to his hotel, and upon arriving, she was guided to an elevator where someone accompanied her and pressed the button. 

Although she did not provide explicit details about what occurred next, she suggested that "some stuff happened." In her video, she also displayed an image of the hotel and a timestamp indicating she left at 2:26 a.m. on September 9, 2023.

As she wrapped up her message, she expressed the difficulty of coming forward about such a significant figure, acknowledging the weight of her words. The TikToker emphasized at the end of her video that the incident happened right after she turned 19 and after the actor reconciled with his wife.

The poster noted that she had been posting about her experience for over a year and wondered why her story suddenly gained an audience. In her words: "I got sexually assaulted by Joe Gatto, the impractical joker."

She claimed to have been texting celebrities about her story, but no one wanted to hear her out. The TikToker stressed that she recognized how difficult it may be for people to believe her story, but she is not that good of a liar to fabricate a false narrative.

She promised to come up with more evidence to corroborate her claim and make sure people believed all she had just said.

The TikToker's controversial story sparked a heated discussion in the comments section. Many viewers expressed their skepticism, questioning her actions, with one commenter pointing out, "You went to his hotel at 2:00 am?? What did you think you were gonna do—watch Impractical Jokers?" 

Another user, identifying as a victim themselves, criticized the TikToker's enthusiasm in recounting her experience, stating, "This isn't giving victim… no one sounds THIS EXCITED to tell their story."

Conversely, some comments showed support and empathy. One user sympathized with her frustration, declaring their belief in her account despite society's harshness.

Another commenter passionately defended her, arguing against the idea that anyone would fabricate a story about someone like Joe, asserting that fame often brings out the worst in people.

They expressed deep regret for the TikToker's situation, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the darker side of celebrity culture. Another set of users claimed something seemed off with the way the accuser presented her story, basically dismissing her account.

Joe announced his decision to step away from the "Impractical Jokers" crew, which includes his friends Brian "Q" Quinn, Sal Vulcano, and James "Murr" Murray, in 2022. 

As shared by The Blast, in a heartfelt Instagram post, he shared that he was facing personal challenges, particularly regarding his marriage to Bessy, which ended amicably after eight years.

He expressed pride in the decade he dedicated to building the show and emphasized the importance of focusing on being a good father and co-parent to their two children.

Joe assured fans that Q, Sal, and Murr would continue bringing joy to audiences and extended his gratitude to the behind-the-scenes crew for their hard work and creativity.

The comic thanked fans for their support over the years, reflecting on how their laughter has provided him joy during difficult times. In his words:

"To all of the amazing fans, thank you for allowing me to make you laugh with Jokers. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and I hope I've been able to provide some of that over the last decade. Seeing you laugh has been my own medicine, particularly in these weird and difficult times we find ourselves."

He concluded his message with hope for the future, expressing excitement about finding new ways to entertain his audience while navigating his current challenges.

How will Joe Gatto respond to the allegations?