Bieber paparazzo faces criminal charges in pursuit
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A paparazzo photographer faces criminal charges in connection with a high-speed chase of Justin Bieber earlier this month, marking the first use of a state law designed to clamp down on photographers' reckless pursuit of celebrities.
The City Attorney's office on Wednesday filed four charges against Paul Raef, 30, including reckless driving with the intent to capture pictures for commercial gain, reckless driving, failure to obey a peace officer and following another vehicle too closely.
Raef could not be immediately reached for comment. If convicted, he faces up to one year in county jail and $3,500 in fines.
The charges stem from a July 6 incident where Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine, a former police officer, and three other motorists called 911 to report a high speed chase along the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.
Prosecutors said responding officers saw a pack of six vehicles pursuing a silver Fisker car, which turned out to be driven by Bieber. A Toyota SUV, owned by Raef, was seen driving at speeds well over 80 miles an hour across all lanes and on the shoulder, as well as forcing its way into lanes when it had no room to merge safely.
Motorists were forced to brake and swerve to avoid colliding with Raef's vehicle and the others, prosecutors said.
Bieber pulled over when officers signaled to, but Raef did not stop.
Bieber was cited for speeding and released.
Prosecutors said that about 30 minutes later, Bieber called 911 and said he was again being followed by the same Toyota.
California Highway Patrol officers arrived at a downtown Los Angeles parking garage, where other paparazzi had congregated, and found the Toyota with the same license plate as the one that had chased the singer.
Officers identified Raef as the driver. He scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 9.
Paparazzi pursuit of celebrities has long been identified as a risk in Los Angeles.
The City Attorney's office on Wednesday filed four charges against Paul Raef, 30, including reckless driving with the intent to capture pictures for commercial gain, reckless driving, failure to obey a peace officer and following another vehicle too closely.
Raef could not be immediately reached for comment. If convicted, he faces up to one year in county jail and $3,500 in fines.
The charges stem from a July 6 incident where Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine, a former police officer, and three other motorists called 911 to report a high speed chase along the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.
Prosecutors said responding officers saw a pack of six vehicles pursuing a silver Fisker car, which turned out to be driven by Bieber. A Toyota SUV, owned by Raef, was seen driving at speeds well over 80 miles an hour across all lanes and on the shoulder, as well as forcing its way into lanes when it had no room to merge safely.
Motorists were forced to brake and swerve to avoid colliding with Raef's vehicle and the others, prosecutors said.
Bieber pulled over when officers signaled to, but Raef did not stop.
Bieber was cited for speeding and released.
Prosecutors said that about 30 minutes later, Bieber called 911 and said he was again being followed by the same Toyota.
California Highway Patrol officers arrived at a downtown Los Angeles parking garage, where other paparazzi had congregated, and found the Toyota with the same license plate as the one that had chased the singer.
Officers identified Raef as the driver. He scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 9.
Paparazzi pursuit of celebrities has long been identified as a risk in Los Angeles.
It's unbelievable what these idiot paparazzi photographers will do to get a photo of a celebrity - all in the name of making a buck. Â
Â
Yes, Justin put himself out as a public figure and should know that this is one of the problems that comes with the territory of being famous, but he doesn't deserve to have his life threatened by idiots.
Man the paparazzi is relentless. I don't agree with JB trying to outrun them, but I can understand why he would want to. I'm glad that Raef is facing charges, I think the paparazzi should face charges far more often then they do.Â
Even though Bieber is a public entity he or for that matter no one deserves to be followed and hounded like the paparazzi do. Most of these paparazzi try to create a situation like sticking a camera is a stars face to get them to react. I would not doubt for one moment that these paparazzi would not feel bad running a star off the highway into an accident just to get the pictures, oh and the money that comes with the pictures.
From that picture I could see why he's mistaken as a girl....
A well applied wedgy could give ya 'the look'.
I suppose if you aren't going to lock Bieber up for his crimes against humanity (having his music played on the airwaves), you cannot lock him up for driving 100mph. I don't believe being chased by photographers qualifies as an emergency justifying reckless driving, but I'm glad the paparazzi are in trouble.Â
Regardless if you like Bieber or not, there is no excuse for anybody to chase after another person & endangering others in the process, not to mention the fact that Mr Toyota was lucky that a truck (or a bigger vehicle) didn't pull in front of him.
"I am so tired".
Justin Dweeber.......
The little twit is driving a chrome car. Sure knows how to attract attention. Hope it doesn't blind some driver and cause a wreck. He'll be paying the piper then.
@Klondiko Nothing wrong or illegal with driving a chrome car. You may not like him for whatever reason, but he didnt do anything wrong in this case. Somehow though, it appears you feel its his fault. For the record, I dont care for his music, but hes a good guitar player
I disagree, he did do something wrong, he was driving recklessly. Â If he felt he was in some sort of danger than I could see the justification, taking his picture, not a good enough reason to drive like that.
@oledawg That doesnt matter what you feel, he is not being charged with any misconduct or wrongdoing. The story is about the paparazzi being charged with a crime.
Regardless of what I think of Biebs, I'm glad to hear this. About time were finally putting papafreaks in their place!
In the immortal words of Ozzy, "What's a Bieber?"
 @IMHO "I don't know but it looks like a girl to me." That was my favorite!