• by Wayne Friedman , August 15, 2005

"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul has been cleared of any wrongdoing with a former contestant that allegedly included a sexual affair, according to an independent probe arranged by the Fox Television network.

Abdul had not given Corey Clark any special help with his songs, wardrobe, or any related matters, according to the investigation, Fox said in a statement on Friday.

Clark had said in an interview on ABC's "Primetime Live" that Abdul coached him on his singing, gave him money for expensive clothes, and began a relationship that soon turned sexual. Abdul's and Clark's accounts of the phone calls "differ greatly, and no evidence was uncovered to resolve the conflicts in their accounts," Fox said.

Clark was kicked off "American Idol" in 2003 for failing to disclose that he faced criminal charges of battery and resisting arrest that stemmed from a fight with his sister.

Fox and the producers said they will start "a non-fraternization policy" to prevent incidents that could even appear to call into question the relationships between contestants and judges.