Season 17 American Idol star Laine Hardy has been apprehended for allegedly planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room.
The 21-year-old American Idol winner was taken into custody after his ex, Sidney Taylor, had found the voice recorder stuck underneath her futon bed.
After her discovery, Taylor contacted the police department at her university, Louisiana State, explaining to authorities how she believed it was Hardy who installed the device, due to their recent breakup, in addition to her finding a fake Instagram account he was using to keep track of her.
Louisiana State University spokesman Ernie Ballard confirmed Hardy’s arrest in a statement:
‘Laine Reed Hardy (Non-LSU student) was arrested by LSU Police today and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violation of 15:1303 — Interception and Disclosure of Wire, Electronic, or Oral Communication. His arrest warrant has been filed with clerk of court.’
According to The Advocate report, the singer is accused of leaving a listening device at his ex-girlfriend’s campus accommodation at Azalea Hall in order ‘to monitor her conversations’ when they broke up, after dating from November 2021 through February 2022.
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Legal documents share how Hardy had used the recording device to spy on his ex’s conversations, which included one Taylor had with her mother regarding the recent breakup.
Police were told by Hardy’s ex-girlfriend that when she confronted Hardy about the device he allegedly confirmed that he planted a device in the room but then later said he threw it in a pond. When police discovered the device, they reported that it had numerous hours worth of recordings containing audio of conversations as well as background noise, such as vehicles.
The arrest warrant states that Laine was charged with ‘one felony count of interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication’.
American Idol winner Laine Hardy was arrested for spying on ex-girlfriend Sidney Taylor Miss Louisiana. Image via social media.
Hardy attempted to address the recent controversy on his Facebook account prior to the police report being leaked to the press.
Here’s what Hardy said on his Facebook account:
“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. 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.”
Sources: Scallywagandvagabond, Theadvocate
