LOS ANGELES – "American Idol (search)" finalist Bo Bice was arrested twice in the past four years on drug charges, a Web site reported Thursday — but Fox TV is standing by the long-haired rocker.
"From the beginning, Bo was honest and forthcoming in revealing his previous indiscretions and their outcome," the network said in response to the report on thesmokinggun.com.
His participation with the show will be unaffected, Fox said Thursday.
The hit talent contest, among TV's top-rated programs, has been roiled this season by tabloid allegations about one judge's behavior and by ABC News' vow to examine "explosive" claims in a special next week.
Several past contestants were booted for failing to disclose arrests, but those who have been forthcoming haven't been penalized.
Scott Savol (search), who with Bice is among the top five finalists, told the series' producers and Fox he had been arrested on a domestic violence charge and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count.
Thesmokinggun.com, citing court documents, said Bice, 29, of Helena, Ala., was arrested in 2001 on a felony cocaine possession charge.
That charge, as well as a marijuana possession charge stemming from a 2003 arrest, were both dismissed after Bice completed a program for first-time offenders, the Web site reported.
The series' finale is set for May 24-25.
"American Idol" airs on FOX, a property of News Corp. News Corp. is the parent company of FOX News Channel, which operates FOXNews.com.
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