Corey Clark apologizes for ‘food fight’

‘Idol’ ex-contestant calls alleged battery a ‘misunderstanding’

J. Viles / AP file	Former "American Idol" contestant Corey Clark just can't stay out of the news.

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updated 4:07 p.m. ET July 6, 2005

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Former “American Idol” contestant Corey Clark apologized Tuesday for what he said was a weekend food fight at a hotel that got out of control. Clark was cited for misdemeanor battery.

In a statement released by his publicist, Clark said, “My dancers, crew, management and I were all involved in a food fight that lasted only a few minutes.”

“With that said, I would like to apologize to any hotel guests and/or staff that may have been inconvenienced as a result of this situation. I trust that the authorities have a clear understanding of what really occurred and after reviewing the facts will rule accordingly.”

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Sacramento police disputed Clark’s account of the incident, which the singer called a “huge misunderstanding.”

Clark, 24, was ordered to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court July 22 on a citation for misdemeanor battery, which alleges that he caused minor injury to CDC Records company executive Laura Kathleen Troy, 34, of Los Angeles.

Police said the incident occurred Saturday as the two were eating a room-service breakfast at Sacramento’s Sheraton Grand Hotel.

“The facts speak for themselves. There was an altercation between the two,” said police spokesman Sgt. Justin Risley.

Risley said Clark and Troy began arguing over an incident from Clark’s Friday night concert at Raley Field in West Sacramento.

Bowl against the wall
Troy told police that Clark knocked over several items and threw others, including a filled cereal bowl that shattered against a wall, Risley said. She said Clark yelled at her and grabbed her, leaving marks on her arm.

Police said Clark also had marks on his arms, which Clark said he may have received when he bumped a wall trying to squeeze past Troy to leave the room.

Clark’s publicist, Jed Wallace, said police “got there at the tail end of a free-for-all in which everyone was involved.” About five people were “letting off steam,” Wallace said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It started in fun and it got more serious.”

If convicted, Clark faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. A spokeswoman for the Sacramento County district attorney’s office said police had not yet forwarded a case, which the office needs to make a decision on whether to file charges.

Clark has alleged that he had an affair with “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul and that she coached him on how to do better during the 2003 talent competition, claims which Abdul has denied.

Clark was dismissed from the Fox network show for not disclosing that he had a 2002 misdemeanor arrest alleging he assaulted his younger sister in Kansas.