Bad Karma? Boy George Banned in the USA

Mon., Jun. 23, 2008 1:16 PM PDT by

Boy George Ash Knotek/Snappers/ZUMA Press

Call it tit for tat: Fresh off of the U.K.'s denial of entry to Martha Stewart, the U.S. has banned Boy George from its shores.

Somehow, it doesn't quite feel like a fair trade.

The "Karma Chameleon" purveyor has been refused a visa for the U.S. leg of his summer tour, which was to include a special performance for his former colleagues at New York's Department of Sanitation, over complications arising from the singer's criminal past and pending his London trial this November.

If they really wanted to hurt him, it's a job well done.

George's rep said the singer was "devastated" he would not be able to play in the States for what would have been the first time in a decade, but that his legal team is working hard to get clearance for the '80s icon to convince officials for a do-over decision.

"George is astounded at the decision and is having lawyers here in the States look at it in the hope that someone will change their mind," the singer's management said in a statement. "George has not been convicted of anything in London and there is a presumption in the Western World of innocence until proven guilty."

The singer, whose full name is George O'Dowd, pleaded not guilty in February to falsely imprisoning a male escort, who claims the star chained him to a wall in the singer's London apartment. He was released on bail pending this fall's trial.

"He is clearly not considered any form of risk," his management said. "George really would love to come to America and repay his American fans' loyalty, and that is why we are asking the U.S. authorities to reconsider their decision."

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