Prosecutors have dismissed the two most serious criminal charges that the rock star Bruce Springsteen was facing, for drunken driving and reckless driving.
The 71-year-old singer pleaded guilty, during a brief videoconference in federal court in New Jersey on February 24th, to the least serious charge, drinking alcohol in a closed area, or an area where it is barred. He was fined $540.
“Two small shots of tequila,” Springsteen said as his lawyer, Mitchell Ansell, walked him through his guilty plea. “Mr Springsteen, I need to ask you how long you need to pay the fine,” the judge, Anthony R Mautone, said. “I think I can pay that immediately,” Springsteen answered.
The singer had been arrested on November 14th in a part of Gateway National Recreation Area, on the New Jersey coast.
The park is on a narrow, beach-ringed peninsula, with views across a bay to New York City. It is about 25km north of Asbury Park, where Springsteen got his start as a musician and bandleader and which was later made famous with his debut album Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ.
The arrest was first reported by TMZ.com. – New York Times, AP
