Abdul to Remain Judge on ‘Idol’

Fox Broadcasting Co. said Friday that an independent investigation could not substantiate allegations that “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul had engaged in a sexual relationship with a contestant or improperly coached him.

As a result, Fox said, Abdul will remain on the show.

But producers of the singing competition, which has turned into a lucrative franchise for the network, will beef up restrictions on fraternization between judges and contestants to avoid any future appearances of impropriety, the network said in a statement.

In her own statement, Abdul said: “I’m grateful this ordeal is over, and I’m so looking forward to getting back to the job I love.”

“Idol” was clouded by scandal this spring when former contestant Corey Clark alleged that he and Abdul had an affair and that she offered him pointers on his performance and appearance during the contest.

Fox entertainment president Peter Ligouri told reporters last month that the network and the show’s producers -- Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment -- had retained an independent counsel to look into the charges. On Friday, the network said that outside attorneys Marcellus McRae and Ivy Kagan Bierman interviewed 43 people during a three-month investigation and reviewed documents provided by Abdul and Clark.

Fox summarized the findings in a news release but did not produce a written report from the lawyers or any details of their investigation.

According to Fox, the lawyers could not find “corroborating evidence” that Abdul and Clark had had a sexual relationship.

Abdul admitted that she had had phone conversations with Clark, the network said, but denied that the two had had an affair. The lawyers were unable to find evidence that Abdul had provided Clark any special help during the competition.

“We have determined, based on the findings of this thorough and detailed inquiry, that there is insufficient evidence that the communications between Mr. Clark and Ms. Abdul in any way aided his performance,” the network said. “Further, we are confident that none of these communications had any impact on the outcome of the competition.”

The producers were sufficiently concerned by the scandal, however, to toughen its non-fraternization policy, aimed at preventing any future incidents that could appear to call into question the relationships between contestants and judges or any other individuals working on “American Idol.”

The statement did not elaborate on those measures, and a Fox spokesman said that no one at the network or the production companies would discuss the investigation or the new policy.

Clark had been one of 12 finalists on the program before being disqualified for lying to producers about his criminal record. He had alleged on an ABC Primetime special titled “Fallen Idol” that he and Abdul had had a sexual affair and that she had helped him choose his songs and his outfits for the show.

A spokesman for Clark did not return calls seeking comment late Friday.