New details are emerging about the in-flight incident that led to Wheel of Fortune hostJim Thornton being questioned by authorities and later suspended from the game show.
According to TMZ, a passenger aboard Thornton’s May American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles became concerned after seeing messages on his laptop that she believed came from a chatroom involving inappropriate discussions about minors. The passenger photographed the screen and alerted a flight attendant, prompting the captain to contact authorities.
Law enforcement met the plane at LAX and questioned Thornton before allowing him to leave.
Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, strongly denied that he engaged in illegal activity.
“My client never viewed, downloaded or consumed any child pornography whether on that commercial flight in May or at any other time,” said Hart.
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The attorney said Thornton became involved in suicide-prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide and had spent time visiting online forums to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
According to Hart, an acquaintance sent Thornton a link to lifeline.chat, and he did not initially realize the nature of the site. She said he left after discovering what it was.
Thornton was never arrested or charged.
“In short, my client did nothing wrong,” Hart continued.
Sony Pictures Television has suspended Thornton from Wheel of Fortune while it conducts an investigation.
