‘American Idol’ Expels Finalist Charged With Attacking Sister

Corey Clark, one of the 10 finalists for Fox’s “American Idol,” has been kicked off the show because of his pending trial on criminal charges, network executives said Monday.

Fox removed Clark, 22, from the series after reports on the Smoking Gun Web site said he was due to appear for trial next month on charges that he assaulted his teenage sister in October and battled with officers while resisting arrest at his family’s Topeka, Kan., home.

Fox said Clark withheld information about the arrest “which, if it had been known, would have affected his participation in the show.”

Network officials said no decision had yet been made on how Clark’s removal will affect the show, which airs tonight and Wednesday.

Participants on “American Idol” are required to disclose “full and accurate” information for background checks, including details of any arrests.

“Due to his failure to disclose, compounded by an error in a police report which misspelled Corey’s name, the incident was not discovered during the background check,” Fox said.

“The producers and network feel that Corey’s behavior warrants his disqualification.”

Clark was a finalist participating in the talent competition, in which the winner is rewarded with a recording contract.