Allegations Against Comedian Joe Gatto Escalate Amid New Claims of Harassment

NEW YORK, NY — Comedian Joe Gatto, best known for his role on the truTV series “Impractical Jokers,” is facing heightened scrutiny following allegations of sexual assault and harassment from two women. The situation escalated after a TikTok user, known as joozyb, posted a series of now-deleted videos alleging Gatto assaulted her in September 2023 when she was 19 years old.

The civil claims began to swirl on March 20, 2025, when joozyb shared her experiences, stating that Gatto had invited her to his hotel room following a performance in Milwaukee, where the alleged assault took place. The allegations gained significant traction online, prompting Gatto to issue a statement on March 22, in which he denied the assault. “I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most,” he said. “But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone.”

Gatto’s representative pointed to this previous statement when asked about the new allegations. Notably, the second woman, who worked for Gatto during his stint on “Impractical Jokers,” recounted her experiences with the comedian, which she described as unwelcome and inappropriate. This individual first met Gatto at one of his live shows at the age of 15 and claims that the comedian’s behavior changed drastically once she turned 18.

“After I turned 18, he became very flirtatious, and I quickly learned why another employee warned me about him,” she recalled. The source noted that one of the warnings included advice that if Gatto made any inappropriate advances, she should shut it down immediately.

While working for Gatto, she alleges that he often made inappropriate physical advances, including asking for back massages and once asking her to cuddle in his hotel room. Moreover, she described Gatto making frequent inquiries about her personal life and bragging about being in an open relationship, a claim she suspects was untrue.

The allegations state a pattern of emotional manipulation that persisted throughout her two-year employment. The woman also claims that Gatto once grabbed her thigh in a hotel elevator and made her feel uncomfortable during work trips, despite publicly claiming to be sober. “He insisted his employees come back to his room to drink, even while he wasn’t drinking himself,” she said.

In light of these allegations, Gatto has chosen to withdraw from the public eye, entering an inpatient program to address his issues. “Having taken some time to reflect, I’ve decided to voluntarily enter an inpatient program to continue working on myself,” he stated. Gatto has also canceled his upcoming comedy tour in the wake of these claims.

Despite the controversy, Gatto, who left “Impractical Jokers” in late 2021, still remains a beloved figure due to his long-standing association with the show. He expressed gratitude for the support of his fans and family as he navigates these personal challenges. His estranged wife, Bessy, with whom he shares two children, has yet to comment publicly on the allegations.

As the situation develops, Gatto’s former colleagues have acknowledged their concern for the ongoing situation, with many fans expressing disappointment and disbelief regarding the allegations. Their reactions highlight the deep impact of celebrities’ actions on public perception and individual lives.

For those affected by sexual assault, resources are available such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).