Justin Timberlake has filed a lawsuit against the Village of Sag Harbor and its police department to block the release of bodycam footage from his June 18, 2024 DWI arrest. The pop star argues that releasing the eight-hour footage would invade his privacy and cause severe reputational harm.
Key Takeaways
Justin Timberlake has filed a lawsuit to prevent the release of eight hours of bodycam footage from his June 2024 DWI arrest in Sag Harbor, New York. He argues that the footage would invade his privacy and cause reputational harm.
- Justin Timberlake sues Sag Harbor to block release of bodycam footage
- Footage spans eight hours, including initial stop, questioning, sobriety tests, and arrest
- Timberlake pleaded guilty to impaired driving in September 2024
- Judge requests both parties confer on a possible resolution
The lawsuit, filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court, claims that the video shows Timberlake "in an acutely vulnerable state" during a roadside encounter with law enforcement. It includes details of his physical appearance, demeanor, speech, and conduct during field sobriety testing, subsequent arrest, and confinement following the arrest.
According to court documents, police notified Timberlake's legal counsel on Sunday that they intended to release the footage from the arrest. The singer's team swiftly responded by submitting a written objection, which the police verbally denied. Police told Timberlake's team it intended to release the arrest video on Monday.
A judge did not immediately rule on the complaint following a hearing on Monday but requested that both parties confer on a possible resolution and report back later in the week.
Timberlake was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after police alleged he failed to stop at a stop sign and stay in his lane. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of impaired driving, had his driving privileges suspended, and was sentenced to 25 hours of community service at a nonprofit of his choosing. He also made a public safety announcement about the dangers of impaired driving.
Sag Harbor Mayor Thomas Gardella said village officials have carefully reviewed the footage to ensure nothing would be released that could put police or the public at risk. "We're trying to be as transparent as can be with this footage," he said, noting that the state's public records law generally requires release of police body camera footage.
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