Bruce Springsteen Pleads Guilty to Public Drinking – But Prosecutor Drops DWI Charge
By Kevin Breuninger,CNBC • Published February 24, 2021 • Updated on January 25, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Will Russell | Getty Images
A federal prosecutor dropped charges of drunken and reckless driving against rock legend Bruce Springsteen on Wednesday.
The musician pleaded guilty to a charge of drinking alcohol in a national park, however, NBC News reported.
Jeep had paused a Super Bowl ad with Springsteen following news of his arrest, but said later Wednesday "we are unpausing the film."
But the musician pleaded guilty to a charge of drinking alcohol in a national park late last year, NBC News reported.
After the drunken driving charge was dropped, Jeep told CNBC that it would unpause a Super Bowl commercial it had made with Springsteen: "Now, that the matter has been resolved, we are unpausing the film."
News of the incident had prompted Jeep to "pause" the commercial "until the actual facts can be established."
#Springsteen DUI hrng: Govt says Boss agrees to plead GUILTY to alcohol in restricted area, but reckless and Operating vehicle, govt does not believe it can sustain burden of proof. Breath test was .02, well under lethal limit
— Brian Thompson (@brian4NY) February 24, 2021
Springsteen, 71, was arrested in November at Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey, also known as Sandy Hook, the U.S. Department of the Interior said earlier this month.
The arrest was made minutes from Springsteen's home in Colts Neck.
"I had two small shots of tequila," Springsteen told a federal magistrate in a virtual arraignment Wednesday morning, according to local Jersey outlet The Daily Journal.
The charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving were dropped after prosecutors said they did not believe they could sustain their burden of proof. Springsteen's level of intoxication at the time was reportedly .02, well under the legal limit, NBC reported.
The federal judge, after commenting on the lack of violations on Springsteen's driving record, imposed a $540 fine.
"I think I can pay that immediately, Your Honor," Springsteen said in the hearing, according to NBC.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama revealed this week that he and Springsteen were launching a podcast together, entitled "Renegades: Born in the USA."
Spotify on Monday released the first two episodes of the podcast, which feature the 44th president and the all-star musician discussing a range of topics from Springsteen's home in New Jersey.
Last year, I sat down with my good friend Bruce @Springsteen for a long and meaningful conversation that touched on so much of what we're all dealing with these days. I'm excited to share it with you over the next few weeks: https://t.co/sQACD08AWx pic.twitter.com/biMoxCLhAG
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2021
— CNBC's Megan Graham contributed to this report.
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