Michael C. (aka Tigger) suspended

donsullivan

donsullivan

Premium Member
Original Poster
I heard this a few minutes ago on the news and just found this article on the Sentinel website. For all the support he had during the trial, I certainly hope this turns into nothing.

Man acquitted in Tigger case suspended from work at Disney
By Sean Mussenden | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 15, 2004, 12:19 PM EDT

The man who was acquitted last month of molesting a 13-year-old girl while playing Tigger at Walt Disney World has been suspended again, union officials said today.

Disney suspended Michael C. Chartrand approximately two weeks ago, pending an investigation into an alleged incident involving Chartrand and other employees at one of the company's theme parks, said Donna-Lynne Dalton, business agent for Teamsters Local 385, the union that represents costumed characters.

An employee -- or employees -- made an allegation against Chartrand, said Dalton, who was unable to provide more specific details. She said Chartrand was dressed as a character when the incident was alleged to have occurred. He was not playing Tigger, she said.

Disney suspended Chartrand earlier this year after a 13-year-old girl accused him of fondling her while he was dressed as Tigger at the Magic Kingdom. A jury acquitted Chartrand of those charges, and Disney allowed him to return to work on Aug. 6. Dalton said Chartrand was suspended again on Sept. 1.

Dalton said Chartrand enjoyed being a character performer.

"I do not believe he would do anything to jeopardize his job in any fashion," she said
 
chucknstuff

chucknstuff

Active Member
I heard he molested the empty Tigger Costume. JUST KIDDING
There has to be more that is not being said; I wonder if there could be some Harrasment issues in his past. I hope not though. If anyone knows him personally, tell him to take it easy and use the time off to reflect on what is going on and to confide in someone trustworthy who will listen to him and give him some feedback but also someone who won't gossip.
 
donsullivan

donsullivan

Premium Member
Original Poster
According the local news report (Channel 9, ABC Affiliate) at noon today, it relates to accusations of inappropriately touching someone while working as Goofy. The report was very vague about whether the accuser was a guest in the park, or a cast member.
 
Sir Hiss527

Sir Hiss527

New Member
What does Michael Chartrand..have to do with this? Did you said that Michael Chartrand got suspended for this accusation? I believe that Tigger is not in the Goofy height range..

here we go again... :rolleyes:
 
chucknstuff

chucknstuff

Active Member
donsullivan said:
According the local news report (Channel 9, ABC Affiliate) at noon today, it relates to accusations of inappropriately touching someone while working as Goofy. The report was very vague about whether the accuser was a guest in the park, or a cast member.
Click to expand...


So now he's f'n Goofy, that's just plain DUMBO. :confused: :confused:
 
Stitchfan712

Stitchfan712

New Member
I find it newsworthy, considering it's the same person from a previously newsworthy event. It's a follow-up imo, and I actually am appreciative of the info. Sir Hiss, the article says that there's another accusation against Chartrand, which we can only assume is the reason he's suspended again.


That's the point of this post.
 
aimster

aimster

Active Member
Bur remember what ASSuming can do.

And first Tigger... now Goofy? Why is it always my fave characters? Who's next, Figment?
 
donsullivan

donsullivan

Premium Member
Original Poster
Here's an updated version of the article with more details.



Man acquitted in Tigger case suspended from work at Disney
By Pamela J. Johnson and Sean Mussenden | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted September 15, 2004, 2:14 PM EDT

Michael Chartrand, acquitted last month on claims he molested a 13-year-old girl while playing Tigger at Walt Disney World, has been suspended again for allegedly battering two park employees, officials said today.

This time, the 36-year-old native of England was playing Goofy. The alleged battery occurred Aug. 24 at Animal Kingdom and involved two employees of Kodak who take pictures of park patrons, Orange County sheriff's Captain Bernie Presha said.

The Kodak employees claim that Chartrand, wearing a Goofy costume, approached them and shoved them each in the chest.

The employees, whose names were not released, thought that the Goofy character was a friend of theirs who was joking around. But they thought it was unlike their friend to shove them. When they saw the Goofy character take off his head, they knew it was not their friend and complained to supervisors, who contacted Disney officials.

Presha said that the State Attorney's Office would decide whether to file misdemeanor charges against Chartrand. A sheriff's report had not yet been written because detectives were back-logged as a result of the recent hurricanes, he said.

Chartrand's attorney from his Tigger case, Jeffrey Kaufman, said that these new claims were bogus. He said Disney sees Chartrand as a liability and is using this false claim as an attempt to get rid of him.

"Of course he was goofing around because he was Goofy!" Kaufman said, who added that the two Kodak employees shoved Chartrand back, as part of routine horseplay among cast members and greeters meant to entertain patrons.

"That's the joke about this," Kaufman said. "You're supposed to fool around, be animated. I knew for Michael it would tough for him to go back. I told him he would be a walking bull's-eye. Now, it's goofy gone wild.

"He just can't catch a break."

Disney suspended Chartrand approximately two weeks ago, pending an investigation, said Donna-Lynne Dalton, business agent for Teamsters Local 385, the union that represents costumed characters.

Disney suspended Chartrand earlier this year after a 13-year-old girl accused him of fondling her while he was dressed as Tigger at the Magic Kingdom. A jury acquitted Chartrand of those charges, and Disney allowed him to return to work on Aug. 6. Dalton said Chartrand was suspended again on Sept. 1.
 
tigger248

tigger248

Well-Known Member
Sir Hiss527 said:
I believe that Tigger is not in the Goofy height range..
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe Tigger is in the Goofy height range. On my cp, I met a friend of Tiggers and told him that I'd like to be a friend of tigger someday. He said it would be possible, but that Goofy would be more likely because most girls get to be friends of Goofy. I also knew people who were friends of both Tigger and Goofy, so yeah, Tigger is in the Goofy height range.
 
D

disneyphilip

Member
Yes, I too agree that Tigger and Goofy are in the same height range.

From what I recall, Tigger's height range is 5'10-6'00 and Goofy's height range is 6'00-6'03.

And due to their height ranges, Tigger and Goofy pretty much have to be played by men, from what I understand.
 
C

caparamedic

New Member
Orange Co. SO has more stuff on him and plenty that was not allowed into the court room. He is still in big trouble and they haven't forgotten about this case.

By the way, his lawyer did a great job defending him. Top notch defense!
 
netenyahoo

netenyahoo

New Member
While this topic is not funny I thought this part sounded kind of funny:

The employees, whose names were not released, thought that the Goofy character was a friend of theirs who was joking around. But they thought it was unlike their friend to shove them. When they saw the Goofy character take off his head, they knew it was not their friend and complained to supervisors, who contacted Disney officials.

It was the Headless Horseman disguised as Goofy!

I think he needs to find a new job and get away from WDW. If he wants to work for Disney maybe he should work at DL or an overseas park. I think he will always be looked at differently by fellow castmembers and people will be suspicious.
 
Atta83

Atta83

Well-Known Member
You know its sad. I bet you the two people who said this accusation would not of done anything if it was someone else, but once they saw it was him decided to take a jump at it. There were some people in entertainment who did not want him back in entertainment.
 
E

Erika

Moderator
Atta83 said:
You know its sad. I bet you the two people who said this accusation would not of done anything if it was someone else, but once they saw it was him decided to take a jump at it. There were some people in entertainment who did not want him back in entertainment.
Click to expand...

I think you're right. The article even says they played along with it and shoved him back while they thought he was their friend... :rolleyes: Seems fishy to me.
 
mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
This is total BS. The kodak people and the characters routinely do this for amusement, even IF they don't know each other. If this was any other CM, it would've been swept under the rug.
 

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