New York — New York (AFP) – Justin Timberlake He struggled to take field sobriety tests that required him to walk in a straight line and stand on one leg after he was pulled over New York Hamptons in 2024 by police officers who suspected he was driving drunk, according to video footage released Friday.
“They’re like really tough tests,” the pop star told officers at one point.
The footage, which spans nearly eight hours, includes Timberlake’s initial stop after Sag Harbor police said he… He ran a stop sign In the middle of the village, he swerved and got out of his BMW reeking of alcohol in June of that year.
The NSYNC singer-turned-solo artist and actor told officers he had a martini and was following friends home to the former whaling village, which is among the affluent beach towns in the Hamptons, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City.
When an officer asks why he’s in town, Timberlake says, “I’m on a world tour.”
“Do what?” the officer asks.
“It’s hard to explain,” Timberlake says.
After stuttering a bit, he said, “World tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.”
The officer eventually replies, “You’re Justin Timberlake? Do you have a license?”
The officers asked Timberlake, who eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line on the road and raise one leg. Sometimes he seems confused when listening to instructions. He apologizes to the officers and tells them his heart is racing.
“I’m a little nervous,” Timberlake says at one point.
In the back seat of the police car, he asks: “Why are you arresting me?”
Back at the police station, Timberlake was told he would be detained overnight, to which he said: “I’m going to be here all night? You guys are savages.”
The officer is asked to keep the light on in the cell while the door is locked.
The Sag Harbor police release comes after the village and Timberlake’s attorneys agreed to release an edited version of the footage. The Associated Press was among several media outlets that filed a records request seeking to release the video.
Timberlake’s lawyers had done so File a lawsuit to prevent releasing the video, arguing that it would “destroy” Timberlake’s privacy by revealing “intimate, highly personal and sensitive details.” They also said it would cause “serious and irreparable damage” to his reputation by subjecting him to “public ridicule and harassment.”
But in a joint filing with the village on Friday, Timberlake’s lawyers acknowledged that the video “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under” the state’s public information law and agreed to release it.
Timberlake’s lawyers and representatives did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment on Friday.
Sag Harbor officials, in a statement provided by village attorney Vincent Toomey, said they were pleased the matter was resolved and that they were able to comply with the state’s public records law.
“From the beginning of this matter, and following Mr. Timberlake’s arrest, the village has attempted to comply with FOIA requirements,” the statement read. “As in any case involving records or video footage from our police department, this material is being reviewed and redacted to address public and officer safety concerns as well as personal privacy considerations.”
Timberlake pleaded guilty to a charge of impaired driving in September 2024.
The Tennessee native agreed to submit a public safety declaration against the dangers of drunk driving as part of Plea deal Which dropped the initial misdemeanor charge to a non-criminal traffic violation.
He was also sentenced to a $500 fine, 25 hours of community service, and a 90-day suspension of his license.
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Hill reported from Albany.
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Follow Philippe Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.