Wheel of Fortune suspends longtime announcer Jim Thornton amid investigation

Sony Pictures Television has terminated Jim Thornton’s employment as the announcer for “Wheel of Fortune” following an investigation into allegations stemming from a May American Airlines flight. A fellow passenger reportedly saw messages and website content on Thornton’s laptop that appeared to involve sexual discussions about minors, alerted the crew, and prompted law enforcement to meet the flight at Los Angeles International Airport. Authorities questioned Thornton, but he was released and has not been arrested or charged. Thornton’s attorney says he accessed the site accidentally while attempting to visit suicide-prevention forums and denies that he engaged in illegal conduct; the reported photographs and their contents have not been independently authenticated or verified by authorities or Sony. Thornton’s voice will not appear in the upcoming season, which premieres Sept. 14, and an interim announcer has been brought in.