Hip-hop star Akon pleaded guilty on Wednesday to harassment for tossing a fan off stage at an upstate New York concert last year.

 

Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, reached a deal to plead guilty to second-degree harassment, a violation, instead of the more serious charge of endangering the welfare of a child. In December 2007, the 35-year-old singer had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges that were filed after tossing 15-year-old fan Anthony C. Smith from the stage at Dutchess Stadium on June 3, 2007, during the annual KFEST summer concert. Witnesses said a spectator threw something at Akon during the show. After he asked the crowd to point out the person who did that, a security guard picked up a 15-year-old boy and sent him up to the stage. Akon grabbed the teen onto his shoulders and flung him into the crowd. In the incident, which was caught on video by fans, Akon also caused another concertgoer a concussion when the teenager landed on her.

 

The singer was fined with $350 and ordered to serve 65 hours of anti-gang and anti-violence community service that he must complete before June. If he gets arrested within the next 12 months, he will have to reappear in the Fishkill court.

 

Akon was seated four rows behind Smith and his parents in the courtroom during the proceeding and was confronted by Smith's father after the matter was settled. He repeatedly apologized to the boy.

 

Andrea Zellan, the singer’s attorney stated: "We are pleased that the case has been resolved, and Akon looks forward to putting this unfortunate incident behind him."

 

Before the New York incident, Akon drew criticism when he was videotaped simulating sex on stage with a teenage girl during an April 2007 concert in Trinidad. He later apologized and said he hadn't known the girl was underage.

 

Akon became famous in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That." He is the founder of Konvict Musik and Kon Live Distribution. He is the first artist to ever accomplish holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.