Bucky Covington Accused Of Grand Theft

Covington’s alleged one-night crime spree took place June 30 when he played a gig at the Iron Horse Saloon near Ormond Beach, Fla., reports The Daytona Beach News-Journal. During the performance promoter William Fuller, who runs Pit Row Music Posse, began experiencing chest pains and was rushed to the hospital, leaving his employees in charge of the money collected at the gate.

In the report filed with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Fuller stated that four people told him that they saw Covington’s brother Rocky and his wife Terra take the gate money. Fuller also cited a witness saying Terra was selling tickets at the door and pocketing the money.

Serious charges indeed, made even more somber when you consider part of the night’s proceeds were to benefit tornado victims in Joplin, Mo.

But the Covingtons disagree. On Monday during a phone interview with the News-Journal, Bucky Covington denied the promoter’s claims.

“It’s absolutely and completely false,” the singer told the newspaper. “The promoter didn’t have his fingers together. He did not pay people. I didn’t get paid.”

Fuller seemed to anticipate Covington’s remarks about people not getting paid that evening. In the report filed with the sheriff’s office that was subsequently obtained by TMZ, Fuller said the alleged theft was partially inspired by deception “by having people believe that they had a legal right to the money.”

While talking with the News-Journal, Bucky Covington said he would take legal action against Fuller, but did not offer any details. The former car painter turned singer also described the incident as “just a paint job gone bad.”

But regardless of the outcome, there might be a small instance of turning a negative into a positive for the one-time “American Idol” runner-up. While speaking to a TMZ representative, Covington noted that the incident might just represent a new milestone in his career.

“I’m just glad I’m big enough to be on TMZ,” Covington told the gossip site. “Thanks!”

Click here to read the complete article in The Daytona Beach News-Journal and here for TMZ’s account.