Akon (left) spoke to students in upstate New York about gun violence as part of a plea agreement. -- PHOTO: AFP
NEW YORK - HIP-HOP star Akon spoke to students in upstate New York about gun violence as part of a plea agreement for tossing a fan off stage at a concert nearby.
Akon pleaded guilty in December to tossing the teen off stage at a June 2007 concert at Dutchess County Stadium in Fishkill, New York. He won't serve jail time but must complete 65 hours of anti-violence and anti-gang community service.
Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik said Thursday's forum fulfilled some of those hours. He said Akon will return to Poughkeepsie in September and participate in a Project SWAG - Society at War Against Guns - back-to-school conference.
Akon, whose given name is Aliaune Thiam, will also record a public service announcement about gun violence for use by local radio stations. -- AP