Jim Thornton fired from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ after disturbing chat allegations, TMZ reports

The Brief

• Jim Thornton was fired from "Wheel of Fortune" after Sony Pictures Television Studios investigated alleged chatroom messages, according to TMZ.

• A passenger reportedly saw the messages during a flight to Los Angeles, prompting authorities to question Thornton after the plane landed.

• Thornton's attorney said he mistakenly accessed the wrong website while attempting to visit a suicide-prevention forum.

LOS ANGELES- Jim Thornton has been fired from "Wheel of Fortune" following an investigation into online messages that allegedly appeared on his computer during a flight, according to TMZ .

Sony Pictures Television Studios confirmed the decision Friday.

What they're saying

"Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton's employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately," a Sony spokesperson told TMZ.

Dig deeper

The termination comes days after TMZ reported that Thornton was flying American Airlines to Los Angeles in May when another passenger allegedly saw messages on his screen in what she believed was a chatroom for people with pedophilic thoughts.

The messages reportedly referenced "a couple of cute boys and a hot little girl" and "All-you-can-eat Boyfett." The screen also allegedly included references to "CP," an abbreviation often associated with child sexual abuse material.

The passenger alerted a flight attendant, who notified the pilot. Authorities questioned Thornton after the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport, but he was allowed to leave.

The other side

Thornton's attorney previously told TMZ the incident appeared to be a misunderstanding. She said Thornton regularly visited the suicide-prevention forum chat.988lifeline.org to help people experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Thornton claimed he was mistakenly sent to lifeline.chat, a website for people with pedophilic thoughts, and left after realizing the error. However, TMZ reported that timestamps in the photos appeared to show he remained in the chat for nearly an hour.

Thornton's attorney did not comment on his firing, according to TMZ.

The Source

The information came from TMZ, which reported Jim Thornton's termination by Sony Pictures Television Studios and the alleged chatroom messages seen by a passenger during a flight. TMZ also reported statements from Thornton's attorney and details about the law enforcement response. This story was reported from Los Angeles.