This week it was revealed that some AT&T employees went to Arkansas parties the night of the American Idol finale and taught the people there how to “power text”. The problem: American Idol prohibits “power voting” by text or phone, and has internal safeguards against the practice. While anyone in the United States could phone in votes, only AT&T customers were allowed to text. And according to reports two of the 20 phones sent to “Kris Allen” parties in Arkansas were capable of sending multiple votes by so-called “power texting.” However, a person with knowledge of the voting results, said Kris Allen won by a large enough margin that a handful of voters with two “power texting” phones could not have swayed the outcome.

According to AT&T, “a few local AT&T employees” were invited to attend local viewing parties in Arkansas for the “American Idol” finale, parties the company said were similar to other, “countless” ones held in “homes, bars and other public places” nationwide. AT&T said in its statement: “Caught up in the enthusiasm of rooting for their hometown contestant, they brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.” In a joint statement, Fox and producer FremantleMedia said the results were “fair, accurate and verified” by an independent, third-party monitor to protect the integrity of the voting process. “In no way did any individuals unfairly influence the outcome of the competition. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol.“