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American Idol Wannabe Already Has a Record

Posted Jan 18th 2007 3:49PM by TMZ Staff

Before he wowed Simon, Paula and Randy during last night's "American Idol," Thomas Daniels took his fair share of punishment from real judges over several criminal charges, including drunk driving.

TMZ has unearthed legal documents which reveal that in 2004, Daniels was convicted of DUI in Clackamas, Oregon. The 21-year-old, who was the first wannabe to get the green light from the "AI" crew on last night's show, pled guilty and was sentenced to a one-year alcohol diversion program and a $680 fine. Daniels also attended eight AA meetings and saw a counselor once a week for two months. After the completing his DUI sentence, the incident was wiped from Daniels' record.

TMZ spoke exclusively with Daniels who said, in reference to his DUI, "I was young and dumb and drinking and driving."

In December 2005, Daniels was arrested again; this time for hit and run. He failed to appear in court for the arraignment, so Daniels was rearrested. TMZ could not find the disposition of the hit and run. Daniels called the incident "another young and dumb situation."

When asked if he disclosed his criminal past to "American Idol" producers, Daniels had no comment.

Tags: thomas daniels, ThomasDaniels

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(Page 3 of 9) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. Man--I wonder if he has a sex tape? I bet he has a big afro penis bush too.

Posted at 7:28PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Little Titty

32. Everyone who is employed by TMZ is scum. The hack writers and annoying photographers always in people's faces. All the lies and stories blown way out of proportion..no fact checkers..no fear of lawsuits for slander..every day they dish up more fresh garbage and new sleazy fotos. They have brought journalism to a new low and still have no shame.

GOD I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 7:47PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Party On Garth

33. you know the charges were esponged right?

Posted at 7:53PM on Jan 18th 2007 by in the know

34. Every year AI has a thug with a record that is then made public to the world then 5 minutes later everyone forgets about them. He sounds like a REAL nice guy hit and run. What a pillar in the community.

Posted at 9:25PM on Jan 18th 2007 by just saying

35. Who cares about this foolish drunken turd?

Posted at 9:56PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Kiki

36. "After the completing his DUI sentence, the incident was wiped from Daniels' record."

What part of that don't you assholes understand?
Your headline is false. He doesn't have a record, since the DUI was "wiped".

He's square with the system. He's been penalized for his wrongdoing. The DA obviously was satisfied that his "debt to society" was paid in full. Why can't you leave it at that? How do you sleep at night?

Leave the guy alone. Jeez.

Posted at 9:58PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Jack Frost

37. So what.

y a w n

(Oh please Lord. Make American Idol disappear)

Posted at 10:41PM on Jan 18th 2007 by sureheather

38. Another season of the Rolling Stones are orange juice drinkers by comparison to Thomas Daniels rap sheet. Have fun Paula, Randy and Simon handling these jokers. Hee hee hee.

Posted at 11:02PM on Jan 18th 2007 by George B Vieto

39. Some of you people posting need to get a better vocabulary. There are much better words to use in the English language rather than profanity. Be creative, will ya????

I liked this guy when he auditioned. I hope he is trying to better his life. Bo Bice had a record for cocaine use, and he turned his life around. He became a Christian, married his girlfriend, became a daddy, donated his house to a couple that lost theirs in Hurricane Katrina, and has been involved in a lot of charity work since his stint on AI. He made some mistakes but turned his life around.

I hope Thomas does well. The Hollywood tryouts are killers - they make or break a singer, so we'll see how he does.

Posted at 4:19PM on Jan 19th 2007 by DaMama

40. Party on Garth #32 , you make the Boil laugh . I give the dickhead of the week Award to you ! 13.85 shipping with 5.45 insurance . send to ....Dickheads .

Posted at 1:08AM on Jan 19th 2007 by NASTY Boil

41. Great another talentless hack with a record gets his five minutes of fame. Whatever.

Posted at 3:06AM on Jan 19th 2007 by AI stinks

42. I don't think it really matters to AI. It sounds like he paid his dues on it. They allowed Bo Bice to go to the last show with his drug charge past.

Posted at 7:48AM on Jan 19th 2007 by OriginalKat

43. I can not believe what this world has come to. As many of your readers have quoted, is there not more pressing news you can report on? Why can't the media just leave these people alone? Put yourself in their shoes....... even the ones that are nice and allow the media to take pics of them, special events , their kids, the media continues to invade their lives without another thought. I would hate to think someone was always looking over my shoulder and reviewing everything I did with a microscope and keeping it on video so they can humiliate me when ever they choose oh But I forgot, their is someone we ALL will answer to......GOD>

Posted at 7:58AM on Jan 19th 2007 by Rebecca

44. THAT DUDE LOOKS LIKE THE KIND OF DUMBASS WE'VE ALL CROSSED PATHS WITH AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE

Posted at 8:14AM on Jan 19th 2007 by ARTIKULATE

45. Sir, what do you have to say for yourself on your American Idol appearance?

" I was young and dumb."

Posted at 10:53AM on Jan 19th 2007 by JP

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