Laine Hardy was taken into custody and charged with planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room at Louisiana State University. The season 17 winner of “American Idol” was picked up on Friday and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violating the state’s interception and disclosure of wire, electronic, or oral communication statue. The 21-year-old’s lawyer confirmed in a statement that his client “has been and will continue to be completely cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department on this matter.”
According to the booking documentation, LSU Police went to Laine’s ex-girlfriend’s dorm last month after she and her roommate found a device under her futon. She initially thought it was a charger, but a Google search determined it was a VR-500 Voice Activated Recorder. After hearing what they perceived to be the singer’s voice as the device was delivered to the victim's room – and hearing his name mentioned in conversation – an arrest warrant was approved on Wednesday. In addition, the girl, whose name wasn’t given, alleged that Laine had recorded in the past and admitted to planting a bug in her room that he later discarded.
Laine is supposed to appear on “The Great Idol Reunion” tonight. The special was filmed earlier in April.
Source: Entertainment Weekly