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'Wheel of Fortune' announcer Jim Thornton's attorney speaks out after game show suspension
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"Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton is defending himself through his lawyer after he was suspended this week.
His attorney told TMZ Tuesday that the 61-year-old "did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime."
"We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton," a spokesperson for Sony Pictures Television Studios told Fox News Digital Tuesday.
"He has been suspended from ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation."
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Jim Thornton has been the announcer of "Wheel of Fortune" since 2011. (Disney via Getty Images)
Thornton was hired as an announcer for the game show in 2011.
The alleged incident was related to an American Airlines flight Thornton took in May in which another passenger complained about Thornton’s behavior, according to TMZ. He was met by law enforcement at a gate.
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"On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard," the airline told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
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Ryan Seacrest hosted "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" in January. (Disney via Getty Images)
"When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go," his lawyer added to TMZ.
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Thornton replaced iconic "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Charlie O’Donnell after O’Donnell's death in 2010.
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Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White posing on the set of "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune." (Disney via Getty Images)
Before joining "Wheel of Fortune" and "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune," he provided voices for shows like "Celebrity Death Match," "The Cleveland Show" and Pixar’s "Monsters, Inc."
He has also announced on "The Price is Right" and "Jeopardy!" And he’s worked for KNX 1070 news radio since 1985.
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Thornton has received numerous awards during his career, including the Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy, according to his "Wheel of Fortune" biography.
Brie Stimson is a Los Angeles-based entertainment and breaking news writer for Fox News Digital.
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