Paula Abdul Brands Allegations "Character Assassination"  5/7/05

ABDUL BRANDS ALLEGATIONS 'CHARACTER ASSASSINATION'

LATEST: PAULA ABDUL has finally broken her silence over her AMERICAN IDOL scandal, branding allegations of an affair with a former contestant "character assassination".

In a statement, the STRAIGHT UP singer doesn't respond to the specific allegations made by ousted contestant COREY CLARK - that they had an affair and that she coached him during the contest but she does say she never responds to "lies".

She states, "All my life, I have been taught to take the high road, and never to dignify salacious or false accusations. And I have been taught never, never to lie.

"Not only do I never lie, I never respond to lies, no matter how vicious, no matter how hurtful.

"I do trust my fans who can see through attempts at character assassination, and I do trust the essential fairness of the American public."