Bruce Springsteen pleaded guilty Wednesday to drinking with fans in a New Jersey park, but evaded charges of DWI and reckless driving because prosecutors said he was not drunk enough during the November incident.
The sentiment in the sensational case was announced during The Boss’s trial on the three charges of misconduct arising from his November 14 arrest in Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook.
“I had two small tequila recordings,” the “Born in the USA” singer admitted in his characteristic raspy voice during the virtual trial, while drinking in a closed environment to drink.
However, federal prosecutors dismissed the charges of DWI and reckless driving, noting that Springsteen’s blood alcohol content was a meager 0.02 – well below the state’s legal limit during driving of 0.08.
“It’s actually low enough that the defendant is considered scientifically not harmed by New Jersey law,” U.S. Attorney Adam Baker said. “We consider New Jersey law to be convincing guidance.”
Baker also noted that Springsteen, 71, refused to take a provisional breathing apparatus into the park, but that the test is not actually required by law. “He did submit to the legally required breath test when he was at the ranger station,” Barker told Judge Anthony Mautone.
Springsteen was charged in federal enclave court after a ranger caught up with him when he dropped the shots with a group of lovers driving past the rocker on his motorcycle. He has no other criminal history, authorities noted.
Mautone said he would impose a $ 540 fine on the star, calling it an “appropriate” punishment in the case.
The judge asked how long it would take before the Grammy winner coughed up the cash, asking his lawyer, Mitchell Ansell, to smile.
“I think I can pay it right away, Your Honor,” Springsteen replied.
He has until next Wednesday to do so.
All three charges imposed up to $ 5,000 in fines and a six-month prison sentence.
Springsteen’s scheduled Zoom arrangement attracted nearly 170 spectators online – making Mautone’s anger rage. “I really do not think we should make it accessible to the whole universe,” the lawyer grumbled before the 20-minute trial began. “At 11 o’clock we’re going to turn off access and then we start.”