American Idol winner Laine Hardy arrested for planting listening device in ex-girlfriend's dorm

Singer Laine Hardy, winner of American Idol season 17, was taken into custody on Friday and charged for planting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend's dorm room at Louisiana State University in Baton Rogue, Louisiana.

On Friday, a legal representative confirmed that Hardy, 21, was booked at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for violation of Louisiana laws. The attorney also confirmed and in a statement told Entertainment Weekly that he "did receive a warrant for his arrest" and that he "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," the attorney added. According to the documentation obtained by the publication, the LSU police arrived at the dormitory on April 7 after the victim, his former girlfriend and her roommate found a device. The woman mistook it for a phone charger and upon looking it up she found out that it was a VR-500 Voice Activated Recorder.

The files retrieved from the recording device revealed Hardy's voice at the back. According to the recordings, Hardy was mentioned in multiple conversations. An arrest warrant was issued on April 27 against the singer.

The victim also alleged that the musician had tried to record her previously by other means and had admitted to planting a bug in her dorm, which he later discarded.

The music competition winner revealed that he had first received a warrant from LSU police department in a statement he posted on social media on Thursday. He only cited unspecified "allegations" made against him. He said he has been "fully cooperative" with authorities.

"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," Hardy wrote in the statement. "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."

The singer was set to appear on American Idol for the upcoming 20th anniversary in a pre-recorded episode for the reunion.