Bruce Springsteen has been fined $540 after pleading guilty to consuming alcohol in a national recreation area where drinking is banned, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
The “Thunder Road” superstar was arrested on Nov. 14 for drinking what he said in the Zoom court hearing was “two small shots of tequila” in New Jersey’s Gateway National Recreation Area.
Springsteen was also charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence, two charges the court dropped on Wednesday, with the government saying it would not be able to provide sufficient evidence to prove them.
Appearing in a black jacket and sweater over a collared button-up shirt, the 71-year-old rock icon was calm and cordial as he acknowledged consuming the alcohol in the park despite knowing it was illegal.
After he initially entered a not guilty plea to all three charges, the defense and prosecution agreed Springsteen would plead guilty to the drinking in a closed area charge in exchange for dismissing the others and avoiding a trial.
The judge ordered him to take care of the fine within a week.
In a statement via his publicist sent to AFP after the proceedings, Springsteen’s lawyer said the songwriter was “pleased” with the outcome.
