Just after the Super Bowl, people were talking about Bruce Springsteen’s Jeep commercial as one of the best ones of the night. Then New Jersey cops suddenly piped up and said WELL ACTUALLY we arrested Springsteen for a DUI in November. Jeep was embarrassed and they pulled the ad. Springsteen’s people came out and said “not so fast.” They pointed out that yes, Springsteen was arrested, but when he took the Breathalyzer test, his blood-alcohol level was negligible, well below the legal limit. The cops tried to make it sound like the arrest was totally legit because they witnessed the Boss take a shot with some fans in a park, which… okay, that’s a “crime.” But it still didn’t make Springsteen drunk. So, big surprise, after that smear job by what I can only assume are MAGA cops, the DUI charge was dropped.

Bruce Springsteen pleaded guilty Wednesday to drinking with fans at a New Jersey park — but dodged charges of DWI and reckless driving because prosecutors said he wasn’t drunk during the November incident. The disposition in the high-profile case was announced during The Boss’ arraignment on the three misdemeanor charges stemming from his Nov. 14 arrest at Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook.

“I had two small shots of tequila,” the “Born in the USA” singer admitted in his signature raspy voice during the virtual hearing, as he copped to a single count of drinking in a closed area. Federal prosecutors, however, dismissed the DWI and reckless driving charges, noting that Springsteen’s blood alcohol content was a measly 0.02 — far below the state’s legal limit while driving of 0.08.

“It’s actually low enough that the defendant would be considered presumptively not impaired under New Jersey law,” said Assistant US Attorney Adam Baker. “We do look to New Jersey law as persuasive guidance.” Baker also noted that while Springsteen, 71, refused to take a preliminary breathalyzer at the park, that test is not actually required by law. “He did submit to the legally required breath test when he was at the ranger station,” Barker told Judge Anthony Mautone.

Springsteen was charged in federal enclave court after a park ranger caught him downing the shots with a group of adoring fans who caught the rocker passing by on his motorcycle. He has no other criminal history, authorities noted.

Mautone said he would impose a $540 fine on the star, calling it an “appropriate” punishment in the case. The judge asked how long it would take for the Grammy winner to cough up the cash — prompting his lawyer, Mitchell Ansell, to smirk.

“I think I can pay that immediately, Your Honor,” Springsteen replied.

[From The NY Post]

This whole incident was so stupid, my God. What a complete waste of time and resources. Judging from the way the federal prosecutor took Springsteen’s side, I can only imagine that the lawyers got together and were like “holy sh-t this was a bad arrest.” The cops totally targeted Springsteen because he’s famous AND because of his liberal politics. They also released the information about his arrest to affect his sponsorship with Jeep and embarrass him personally. At least Jeep has now reinstated the ads. Also: Barack Obama didn’t even wait for the charges to be dropped before he announced that he and Springsteen have a new podcast.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.