Singer Lynda Trang Dai has applied to complete legal education programs, community service, and compensation for damages to have her theft charge over a $330 Gucci AirPods case dismissed.
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Vietnamese-American singer Lynda Trang Dai. Photo courtesy of Lynda Trang Dai |
According to the Orange County Clerk of Courts in Florida, the court approved her request to participate in the Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD) program. Under the program, the singer will complete training, perform community service, and compensate the claimant, avoiding a formal trial.
Court records indicate that in January, she was accused of stealing merchandise valued between US$100 and US$750. In February, she explained that she had inadvertently taken the US$330 AirPods case while rushing to a performance, describing the incident as a “petty theft.”
On Aug. 14, she and her attorney filed a petition asking the court to suspend the criminal proceedings while she completed the PTD program.
Under Florida Statutes, Chapter 948, Section 8, the PTD program is available to “first offender” or “any person previously convicted of not more than one nonviolent misdemeanor.” It allows offenders to avoid formal prosecution, while holding them accountable and giving them a chance to correct their behavior without a criminal record. Offenders must meet specific conditions, which may include counseling, community service, restitution, rehabilitation programs, or legal education courses. Upon successful completion, prosecutors may dismiss or decline to pursue charges.
Lynda Trang Dai, 57, moved to the U.S. with her family in the 1970s. Known for her dynamic stage presence, she has often been compared to Madonna. She is married to Vietnamese-born singer Tommy Ngo.
