at 20:16 on September 15, 2006, EST.

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) - A warrant is expected to be issued for the arrest of former "American Idol" contestant Corey Clark after he failed to appear in court on a summons stemming from a July 24 arrest for violating a court order and trespassing.

The Yuma County Attorney filed two misdemeanour charges against Clark for the incident at the Yuma home of his wife's parents. He failed to appear for a hearing Tuesday and the judge sent the case back to prosecutors for an arrest warrant.

Yuma County sheriff's Maj. Leon Wilmot said Friday he "would anticipate a warrant being issued" soon.

Clark, 26, was disqualified after reaching the finals of the popular TV show's second season in 2003 for failing to reveal a previous arrest. He later claimed to have had an affair with "Idol" judge Paula Abdul and said she paid some of his expenses and promised to fund his career.

Fox said its investigation found no proof of the affair and Abdul stayed with the show.

Clark's wife, Monica Rodriguez Gonzalez, 27, filed for a domestic violence protective order in June in Yuma County Superior Court, claiming that he had abused her. The order prohibited Clark from having any contact with her, as well as eight others, including their child.


©The Canadian Press, 2006