Justin Timberlake does not want pictures of disabled people to be released. He sues to stop you
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Justin Timberlake is suing to prevent the release of police body camera footage of his disabled arrest in New York’s Hamptons in 2024.
Attorneys for the pop star argued in a lawsuit filed Monday against the town of Sag Harbor and the police department that releasing the video would “destroy” Timberlake’s privacy by revealing “deep, personal and sensitive information.”
They also said it would cause “grave and irreparable damage” to his reputation by subjecting him to “public ridicule and abuse.”
“The released footage shows the applicant in a highly vulnerable position during his encounter with law enforcement, capturing detailed information about his appearance, demeanor, speech and conduct during the indecency test, subsequent arrest and detention of the applicant after his arrest in the next few hours,” the lawsuit reads.
Justin Timberlake was arrested in New York’s Long Island after running a stop sign and driving under the influence, according to police. Cultural critics say this may affect his social standing.
The judge did not rule immediately following Monday’s hearing in the district court in Riverhead, NY, according to Vincent Toomey, an attorney for Sag Harbor.
Instead, Judge Joseph Farneti asked both sides to work out a settlement and report back later this week, he said.
Timberlake’s attorneys did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
The NSYNC singer-turned-solo singer and actor pleaded guilty to impaired driving in September 2024.
Police say he ran a stop sign in the center of the village, swerved out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol that June.
The Tennessee native told officials he had one martini and was following friends home in Sag Harbor, a whaling town among the wealthy Hamptons, about 100 miles east of New York City.
Timberlake agreed to give a public safety declaration about the dangers of drunk driving as part of a plea deal that dismissed his first traffic violation.
He was also sentenced to a $500 US fine, 25 hours of community service and a 90 day license suspension.
“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” Timberlake said after his court appearance.
“This is a mistake I made, but I hope anyone watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know I definitely made it.”
In their lawsuit, Timberlake’s attorneys said they were notified Sunday that town officials intended to release some of the photos, with some redactions, to comply with public records requests.
They say the entire video lasts about eight hours and includes Timberlake being stopped, questioned by police, sobriety tests and his arrest.
The Associated Press was among several media outlets that filed a records request seeking the release of the video.
The Mayor of Sag Harbor, Thomas Gardella, said that village officials have carefully processed the images to ensure that nothing will be released that could put the police or the public at risk.
“We’re trying to go public with this video,” he said, noting that state records law requires the release of police body camera footage.
Pop star Justin Timberlake, speaking outside the courthouse in Sag Harbor, NY, said he learned from his mistake and urged people not to drink and drive. ‘Even one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car.’
