英语文摘：Hip-hop star Akon pleads guilty for "fan tossing"

Senegalese singer Akon arrives at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Feb. 11, 2007. Hip-hop star Akon has pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment in Fishkill, NY, for tossing a fan off stage during a concert in this town in June 2007.

    BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Hip-hop star Akon has pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment in Fishkill, NY, for tossing a fan off stage during a concert in this town in June 2007, according to media reports Thursday.

    The 35-year-old singer was sentenced to an anti-gang and anti-violence community service for 65 hours and pay a fine of 250 U.S. dollars.

    Akon tossed a teenage boy, Anthony Smith, off the stage at the concert when a security guard pointed out the boy was the culprit who threw something at Akon. The incident was caught on videotape.

    After the plea, Akon apologized to the boy and his parents.

    Akon's lawyer Andrea Zellan issued a written statement saying, "We are pleased that the case has been resolved and Akon looks forward to putting this unfortunate incident behind him."

    The singer's third album, "Freedom," was released on Dec. 2.