“American Idol” winner Laine Hardy is under investigation by police at the Louisiana State University for planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend’s room.
The country singer announced the arrest on his Facebook page.
“Earlier today, I received a warrant due to allegations made against me and have been fully cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department. I understand that my career has thrust me into the public spotlight, and I embrace that wholeheartedly as my entire world belongs to my music and my fans,” Mr. Hardy wrote on Thursday.
“However, due to the sensitive nature of this allegation, I humbly ask for privacy at this time. I have the utmost respect for the law and will assist in their investigation as needed moving forward,” he added.
LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard on Friday confirmed to The Washington Times that Mr. Hardy was arrested.
“Laine Reed Hardy (Non-LSU student) was arrested by LSU Police today and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violation of … Interception and Disclosure of Wire, Electronic, or Oral Communication. His arrest warrant has been filed with the clerk of court,” Mr. Ballard said in a statement.
Mr. Hardy allegedly left a voice recorder in his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room “to record her conversations following their breakup in February, according to The New York Post.
“The victim advised that last night, while watching a movie with her roommate, [they] located a device, appearing to be a phone charger under the victim’s futon.” After googling the device, “she learned it to be a VR-500 Voice Activated Recorder,” prison booking documents said.
Mr. Hardy remains in police custody, according to arrest records.
The Livingston, Louisiana, native was named an ambassador for the Louisiana Office of Tourism last year, but his picture has been removed from the Office’s website, according to WAFB.
Mr. Hardy, 21, won season 17 of “American Idol” in 2019 and has nearly 350,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
• Peter Santo can be reached at psanto@washingtontimes.com.
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