The “Wheel of Fortune” Announcer Was Caught in a Child Porn Chatroom, But Claims He Didn’t Do Anything Wrong?

The "Wheel of Fortune" Announcer Was Caught in a Child Porn Chatroom, But Claims He Didn't Do Anything Wrong?

Well, we finally know what “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton did that got him suspended from the show.  Back in May, he had his laptop open on a flight, and he was chatting on a support site for people who have pedophilic thoughts. (???)

So how did that happen?

Thornton’s lawyer says he’s been active in suicide-prevention advocacy ever since losing a close relative to suicide two years ago.  He apparently meant to visit a suicide prevention chat room, but was mistakenly sent to this other site, because it has a similar URL.

The attorney said he immediately left the page once he realized what it was about . . . and she added that there’s no child pornography or other unlawful content on the site, and Thornton has never “viewed, downloaded, or consumed” any child porn.

But while he was on the page, a fellow passenger took pictures and showed them to the crew.  Cops were waiting for him when the plane landed.

But, as Thornton’s attorney once again pointed out, he wasn’t arrested or charged with any crimes.

TMZ posted the pictures that got Thornton in trouble.  There doesn’t appear to be anything incriminating in the conversation, but TMZ did note that he was in the chatroom for at least 57 minutes.