Threw Minor Off Stage, Akon 'Convicted'

Thu, 29 November 2007 22:02:25 ET

Following an incident last June on KFEST concert, in which he threw a 15-year-old off-stage, Akon was charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment.

A misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment has been filled against the hip-hop singer, Akon. The charges was announced on a press release held Thursday (29.11.07) afternoon by the police chief of Fishkill town, Donald F. Williams. Poughkeepsie Journal reported that the charges filed against the 'Smack That' singer was a result of an incident occurred on June 3, 2007 at Dutchess Stadium during the annual KFEST concert and that Akon is expected to appear in Town of Fishkill Court at 9 a.m. Monday (03.12.07).

MTV.com reported that during the show, Akon was caught on cell-phone cameras throwing a 15-year-old fan to the crowd. Allegedly, right before he started performing, a small object was thrown at him. Immediately, the Senegalese-American singer urged the crowd to point out the wrongdoer. When the security guard asked him whether he wanted the alleged boy brought on-stage or not, he answered, "So go get him. Bring him out to me." The star then took off his shirt and chains, grabbed the boy and threw him to the crowd below saying, "Now we can start the show, y'all ready." Reportedly, the thrown boy fell on Abby Rosa, another concert goer, who later claimed that she had concussion because of the incident.

Following the incident, Akon's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, came out with defending statement remarking, "Given the information that we have reviewed to date, it does not appear to us that Akon was involved in any criminal conduct whatsoever. We are prepared to fully cooperate with any law enforcement agency that may be investigating this incident. We are confident that after a thorough investigation it will be apparent that no criminal prosecution of Akon is warranted."

This incident wasn't Akon's first controversial act on-stage. Last April, he was videotaped conducting an inappropriate act on-stage with an underage girl during Trinidad concert. Though claiming that he didn't know that the girl was underage, Akon released an apology statement, but still lost tour sponsorship from Verizon.

To view the video of the incident, see Akon's Video.

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