Why is alleged scam artist Todrick Hall still on the show?

It has already been covered extensively elsewhere including VFTW, but the fact that Todrick Hall is still allowed to be on Idol despite being knee-deep in allegations of scamming parents into forking over hundreds of dollars for the chance to have their children in musicals that magically were "canceled" is puzzling.

Todrick was involved in putting together a national touring production of Oz the Musical last year, which billed Diana DeGarmo as the lead (unbeknownst to her, mind you). Naturally, kids were invited to audition for roles in the children's chorus at Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville as documented on the city's News Channel 5. After auditioning and handing over $75 per child for costume fees, the show was suddenly canceled and the parents were told they would not be refunded.

But things didn't end there. According to VFTW, Todrick also co-produced a theater class/performance called Cinderella Rock that cost $60 per child, but that show was also canceled and no refunds were issued.

Whether or not Todrick did these things intentionally, it is unthinkable that Idol would want an alleged scam artist attached to its brand, and considering contestants have been disqualified for arguably much less severe infractions, he should not be there. It can be argued that he never should have been selected as a semifinalist to begin with, and that's true, but the producers obviously dropped the ball on this one. The media had already raised questions before the Top 24 was announced, and if Chris Golightly was expelled for "having an existing contract when he auditioned," this story really needs to get back in the spotlight.

That said, it would be one of the biggest mistakes Idol could make in letting Todrick stay on the show past next Thursday.