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Tag: paparazzi (1-5 of 5)

Feb 8 2013 05:39 PM ET

Steven Tyler to testify in Hawaii about privacy law

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler plans to attend a legislative hearing in Hawaii on Friday on a bill that bears his name and would limit people’s freedom to take photos and video of celebrities.

Hawaii’s Senate Judiciary Committee plans to consider the so-called Steven Tyler Act on Friday morning, the first time lawmakers will discuss the bill publicly.

A publicist for the former American Idol judge told The Associated Press on Thursday that Tyler submitted written testimony supporting the proposal, which would allow people to collect damages from someone who photographs them in an offensive way during their personal or family time.

“The paradise of Hawaii is a magnet for celebrities who just want a peaceful vacation,” Tyler said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “As a person in the public eye, I know the paparazzi are there and we have to accept that. But when they intrude into our private space, disregard our safety and the safety of others, that crosses a serious line that shouldn’t be ignored.”

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Jan 2 2013 06:40 AM ET

Photographer killed while shooting Justin Bieber's car

by Associated Press

Tags: Justin Bieber, paparazzi, Music

Police say a paparazzo was hit by a car and killed after taking photos of Justin Bieber’s Ferrari sports car in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles police Officer James Stoughton says the man died at a hospital Tuesday evening. Stoughton says Bieber was not in the car at the time.

Sgt. Rudy Lopez told the Los Angeles Times that the pop star’s friend was driving the car when it was pulled over for a traffic stop. It was parked on a busy street when the photographer arrived.

Police say the man was struck by a car as he returned to his own car.

Stoughton says no charges are expected against the motorist who hit the man.

“While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” Bieber said in a statement. “Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves.”

Nov 14 2012 09:00 PM ET

Appeal planned as judge dismisses charges in Justin Bieber anti-paparazzi case

by Associated Press

Tags: Justin Bieber, paparazzi

Los Angeles prosecutors say they plan to appeal a ruling to dismiss anti-paparazzi charges filed against a freelance photographer involved in a car chase of Justin Bieber.

Assistant City Attorney Ann Rosenthal announced the decision Wednesday, hours after a judge dismissed two counts filed against Paul Raef.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson said the law aimed at stopping aggressive driving by paparazzi was overly broad, and Raefshould not have to stand trial on those counts.

Raef still faces traditional reckless driving charges.

Raef’s attorney Brad Kaiserman has said an appeal could lead to the law being struck down entirely.

Sep 16 2012 12:27 PM ET

Royal family to sue over topless Kate Middleton photos

by Adam Markovitz

Tags: Kate Middleton, Lawsuits, paparazzi, Royals

The Associated Press reports that Britain’s royal family is seeking legal action to prevent a French tabloid from continuing to publish topless photos of Kate Middleton. Lawyers for the crown will go to court in France, where privacy laws are famously strict, to ask for an injunction against the Italian conglomerate that publishes French tabloid Closer, which ran stealthily-obtained paparazzi photos of Middleton sunbathing topless on vacation in Provence. No such suit has been filed against an Irish magazine that also ran the photos. Palace officials took no legal action last month when a British tabloid printed photos of Prince Harry cavorting naked in a Las Vegas hotel.

Jul 25 2012 04:47 PM ET

Bieber paparazzo faces criminal charges in pursuit

by Associated Press

Tags: Crime, Justin Bieber, paparazzi

A paparazzo photographer faces criminal charges in connection with a high-speed chase of Justin Bieberearlier 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 againstPaul 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.