Update!

American Idol Winner Laine Hardy Arrested for Allegedly Wiretapping His Ex-Girlfriend

Former American Idol winner Laine Hardy has been arrested for allegedly planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend's dorm room at a Louisiana State University.

By Corinne Heller Apr 29, 2022 6:40 PMTags
Watch: Laine Hardy Reacts to Winning "American Idol"

UPDATE: Louisiana State University police arrested former American Idol winner Laine Hardy for allegedly planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend's dorm room.

The singer, who is not a student at the school, was charged with one felony count of interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication, according to an April 27 LSU arrest warrant affidavit and obtained by E! News. Hardy was booked into jail on April 29, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office records show. He was released from police custody later in the day, per online records.

A day earlier, Hardy, who won season 17 of American Idol in 2019, wrote on Instagram the he had "received a warrant due to allegations made against me and have been fully cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department."

The 21-year-old wrote continued, "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."

photos
American Idol: Where Are They Now?

According to the affidavit for Hardy's arrest warrant, LSU police were called to one of the university's residence halls on April 7 to investigate a report about a recording device that was discovered in one of the rooms. The alleged victim, who was not identified, told the cops that while watching a movie with her roommate, she found a device that looked like a phone charger under her futon, and that after Googling it, she learned that it was a voice-activated recorder.

East Baton Rouge Parish Prison

The alleged victim, according to the affidavit, reported that she believed the person who left the recorder to be her ex, Laine Hardy, noting the duo dated from November 2021 to February of this year.

She told police that in mid-February, she found what she called a "fake Instagram account" on Hardy's phone that he allegedly "used to cover up that he was illegally recording her when he was not around," and that he had information about her and her actions during Christmas break "that was not known" to him, according to the affidavit. She said she confronted her ex, who allegedly "admitted to her that he left a ‘bug' in her room but later discarded it in his pond."

According to the affidavit, the listening device contained recordings made over a few days in February. The voice of "what sounds to be" Hardy, described as "very distinguishable," is also heard, as is someone saying the star's first name, the documents state. In other recordings, the alleged victim talks to her mother about breaking up with Hardy and talks about how he was "recording her and that she doesn't know if the 'bug is still in her room.'"

Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

In a statement to E! News, Hardy's attorney C. Frank Holthaus said, "I can confirm that Mr. Hardy did receive a warrant for his arrest earlier today and has been and will continue to be completely cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department on this matter. Due to the public nature of Mr. Hardy's profession, we ask for privacy at this time."

This article was originally published Friday, April 29, at 9 a.m. PT and last updated at 6:18 p.m. PT after his release.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App