“American Idol” Season 17 winner Laine Hardy was arrested Friday by the Louisiana State University Police Department after the singer was accused of bugging a pupil’s room with a recording gadget.
Hardy, 21, was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violation of 15:1303 — interception and disclosure of wire, digital or oral communication. If discovered responsible, he might face a superb of as much as $10,000 and or a jail sentence of two to 10 years.
The pupil informed police she found the gadget on April 7 and did a Google search to find it was a voice-activated audio recorder. The pupil informed police she believes Hardy had positioned the bug there.
Hardy is Louisiana native who lives in Livingston Parish. He will not be an LSU pupil.
The “Idol” star confirmed there was a warrant for his arrest in a Facebook submit Thursday, avoiding particulars however noting there was an incident of a “delicate nature” that occurred on LSU’s campus.
“Earlier at the moment, I obtained a warrant attributable to allegations made in opposition to me and have been absolutely cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department,” Hardy wrote. “I perceive that my profession has thrust me into the general public highlight, and I embrace that wholeheartedly as my total world belongs to my music and my followers.’
He continued, “However, as a result of delicate nature of this allegation, I humbly ask for privateness presently.”
“I’ve the utmost respect for the regulation and can help of their investigation as wanted transferring ahead,” he stated.
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In an announcement to USA TODAY, Hardy’s legal professional C Frank Holthaus stated, “Mr. Hardy did obtain a warrant for his arrest earlier at the moment and has been and can proceed to be fully cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department on this matter.”
A college consultant Ernie Ballard additionally confirmed the “energetic investigation” to USA TODAY.
Hardy rose to fame after successful “American Idol” in 2019. It marked the top of an extended highway on the singing competitors for the Livingston, Louisiana, native, who beforehand competed on the present in 2018 however was eradicated from the Top 50.
He hadn’t supposed to present “Idol” one other attempt in 2019 however was persuaded to sing for the judges once more when he accompanied his buddy, Ashton Gill, on guitar at her audition. While Gill did not make it to Hollywood, Hardy took his golden ticket all the way in which to victory, successful over followers younger and previous along with his throwback music selections and Elvis Presley-like swagger.
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“I hesitated to take the golden ticket (to Hollywood), after which I figured I’d give it one other try to see how far I might get,” Hardy informed USA TODAY following his win. “Throughout the season I had second ideas about it as a result of it has been actually powerful, however I simply saved doing what I used to be doing; stressing out every single day and pulling by means of it.”
Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
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