Singer Akon pleaded not guilty yesterday (Dec. 3) in Fishkill, NY to criminal charges which were the result of him tossing a fan off stage at a June concert in the area.
The singer briefly appeared in court, during which he was charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, according to Billboard.
The charge came after a fan attending the concert said she suffered a concussion after the boy Akon tossed off the stage fell on her during the June 3 concert.
According to people who attended the concert, someone had thrown something at Akon on stage during his performance, after which the singer asked his security to bring the 15-year-old boy on stage. Akon then picked the boy up onto his shoulder and tossed him to the crowd.
The case has been adjourned until January. “It was never Akon’s intention to violate the law,” said singer’s
Manhattan lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, in a statement. “This unfortunate incident was a spontaneous
reaction during a live concert that Akon deeply regrets.”
