Scott Savol, one of the remaining nine finalists on “American Idol,” was once arrested for domestic violence, but the Fox network said the arrest won’t cost Savol his shot at becoming an “Idol.”
Although several past contestants have been booted for not disclosing arrests, Savol was “forthcoming to the ‘American Idol’ producers and the network regarding his misdemeanor” and “the situation did not warrant his disqualification,” Fox said in a statement Thursday.
Ohio police documents posted on The Smoking Gun Web site said Savol, now 28, had a confrontation with Michele Martin, the mother of his son, in February 2001. According to a Shaker Heights Police Department report, the couple had decided to separate, but when Savol arrived at Martin’s mother’s home to collect his belongings, he called Martin “several vulgar names,” “pulled an engagement ring off her finger” and “stated he was also going to take their son.”
When Martin threatened to call police, Savol shoved her, pulled the phone from her hand and then threw it at her, striking her in the chest and causing the phone to break, the police report said.
Savol pleaded to a reduced misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, was fined $500, ordered to complete an anger management or domestic violence program, placed on a year’s probation and sentenced to a suspended 20-day jail term, according to the Web site.