“...the show illegally dredged up arrest records...”
Were there factual arrest records for the contestants?
Did the contestants sign a statement that they had no felony arrests?
If so, it appears that the contestants were trying to defraud the show? (if that’s the correct legal term?)
Yes, the contestants are required to disclose arrests and convictions. I also believe that the entertainment company informs them that there may be a background check and the consequences if they lie.
There have been contestants with arrest records that have stayed until they were voted off. There was a female contestant in one of the early years that had an arrest record. If I remember correctly she had been shoplifting. However, she disclosed the arrest, conviction, etc. on her application.