According to the suit, Clash met Singleton on a gay chat line and soon began wooing the youth — taking him to dinner and giving the boy money.



Clash presented himself as 36-year-old school official who did a lot of traveling and was just out of a relationship, according to Singleton.



Clash, who has a 19-year-old daughter, divorced his wife in 2003. It wasn't until several years later that Singleton figured out that his older lover was the renowned puppeteer.



"As a 15-year-old child, Cecil Singleton was not emotionally or psychologically prepared for a sexual relationship with a grown man in his 40s," the suit said.



The plaintiff "suffered severe injuries, including but not limited to mental, psychological and emotional trauma," the suit charged. "These injuries are continuing and (of a) permanent nature."



Singleton was one of "multiple boys" targeted by Clash through the sex lines, according to the lawsuit. Two other purported victims have already come forward, said attorney Jeff Herman, who represents Singleton.



"Kevin Clash groomed Cecil and gained his trust," the lawsuit charged. "On numerous occasions over a period of years, Kevin Clash engaged Cecil Singleton in sexual activity."



An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Clash for reaction was not immediately returned.



Singleton, now 24, suffered "psychological and emotional effects" from the relationship, the lawsuit charged.



Last week, Clash was implicated by a 23-year-old man who said he was just 16 when the two began a sexual relationship.



Clash denied the claims and the accuser, Sheldon Stevens, later recanted.



But it later emerged that Sheldon received a $125,000 settlement in return for withdrawing the charges. The alleged victims now says the relationship was real and reportedly wants to return the settlement money.



Singleton "always thought he was the only one," said attorney Herman. "He was a compliant victim in that he participated in the sex. But it wasn't until later on that he realized he was a victim because of his age."



Singleton said he and Clash reconnected a few years later on another gay chat line and resumed their relationship.



Singleton, who lives in Harlem, describes himself as a single gay man on his Facebook page. He's pursuing a degree in criminal psychology.



"I'm a diva when I have to be," he posted under favorite quotes. "But that attitude does not define me."



-With Barbara Ross

lmcshane@nydailynews.com