MalloryKeaton

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=968350060724

Tigger tumult gives way to Goofy-gate
Character actor at famed park back in headlines again


ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Walt Disney World worker who was acquitted of charges he fondled a 13-year-old girl while dressed as the Winnie the Pooh character Tigger has been suspended again, accused of shoving two people while in a Goofy costume.

His lawyer said the man was just "goofing around because he was Goofy."

Two photographers at Disney's Animal Kingdom said Michael Chartrand came up to them in his Goofy costume and shoved each in the chest, Orange County Sheriff's Capt. Bernie Presha said. The photographers, a male and a female whose names were not released, work for Kodak at the park.

Disney spokesperson Jacquee Polak said Chartrand was suspended Aug. 30 and would remain so indefinitely. Chartrand also could face misdemeanour charges.

Jeffrey Kaufman, Chartrand's attorney in the Tigger case, said the new claims were bogus. "Goofy is always playful," Kaufman told the Orlando Sentinel. "Of course he was goofing around because he was Goofy!"

Earlier this year, Disney suspended Chartrand after a 13-year-old accused him of fondling her while he was dressed as Tigger. A jury acquitted Chartrand of those charges, and Disney let him return to work Aug. 6.

Kaufman said Disney sees Chartrand as a liability and is using a false claim against him. He also said the two Kodak employees shoved Chartrand back, as part of routine horseplay among cast members and greeters meant to entertain patrons.

mh67511

I want to know how they define "shove." When I think of shoving someone I think of pushing them so hard that they fall back or fall down...I dunno I am skeptical because people will sue for anything these days.

Did they break anything?

Cail

I don't really find shoving to be all that "playful" or "goofy." But then again, maybe the situation was fabricated or construed in some way. It seems really unlike Disney to keep an employee around who has been connected with legal trouble in the past, even if the charges were dropped. Sexual assault charges are very serious and it just seems fishy that a family oriented company would keep this person around because of the bad PR they would recieve.

The Daywalker

That goddamn Goofy.

Quarterley

I have seen Goofy in Disney parks before. Usually Goofy just falls a lot in order to be goofy. I have never seen anyone playing Goofy shove ppl before. That sounded more like something a mean character would do.....like Captain Hook.

migamoo

I'm sorry but I've never seen Goofy 'shove' anyone in jest. Hell, I've never seen him do it when mad.