PAULA ABDUL
LOS ANGELES (AP):
AMERICAN IDOL judge Paula Abdul will remain with the hit Fox TV series after an investigation found no proof that she had an affair with a contestant or helped him on the talent show, the network said.
Lawyers who investigated claims by former contestant Corey Clark of a sexual relationship with Abdul could not substantiate his allegations, Fox said Friday.
'Paula Abdul, therefore, can continue as a judge on 'American Idol' the network and series producers said in a statement.
But "an enhanced non-fraternisation policy" will be added to prevent future incidents that could appear to call into question the relationship between judges, contestants or any others connected to 'American Idol' they said.
"I'm grateful this ordeal is over, and I'm so looking forward to getting back to the job I love," Abdul said in a statement. "Once again, I thank my fans from throughout the world for their undying love and support."
Clark's allegations, which Abdul denied, cast a shadow over American television's most-watched show, a water-cooler phenomenon that has become a key part of Fox's ratings success. The claims first surfaced in a tabloid story and were then detailed in an ABC news report.
LOOK INTO THE ISSUE
Last month, Fox announced that it hired independent counsel to look into the issue. Clark was an unsuccessful contestant on season two.
"Any allegations against this show we take quite seriously," Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori said in July, calling the competition's credibility "extraordinarily important to us".
"This decision to begin an inquiry was motivated by a profound commitment to preserve the integrity of the 'American Idol' competition," Fox and producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Television said Friday.
Attorneys Marcell McRae, a former federal prosecutor, and Ivy Kagan Bierman jointly handled the probe. The three-and-half-month inquiry included interviews with 43 people and a review of material provided by Abdul and Clark.
The investigators concluded that Clark's claims of a sexual relationship "have not been substantiated by any corroborating evidence or witnesses, including those provided by Mr. Clark, and Ms. Abdul expressly denies that any such relationship ever existed."
Clark's allegations that Abdul provided help to boost his chances of winning also were not substantiated, according to the network and producers.
"Ms. Abdul acknowledges that she had telephone conversations with Mr. Clark while he was a contestant. Their accounts of those conversations, however, differ greatly and no evidence was uncovered to resolve the conflicts in their accounts," according to the statement.
