Singer Nick Lachey has been ordered to attend anger management classes and AA meetings after becoming physical with a paparazzi last March.
The 98 Degrees star became angry after a female photographer allegedly harassed him and his wife, Vanessa, during a night out in Beverly Hills. As they dined at a restaurant, Jodi Santos, who has been filming celebrities for over 18 years, recorded the couple. In one shot, Lachey is seen flipping off the camera. He then went over to her car and stuck his hand in her window, attempting to take her phone to prevent further photographs. Santos said Lachey has yet to apologize to her.
“Until this day, Nick hasn’t taken any responsibility. He’s justified it. He thought this was done, but it’s not done,” Santos said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
The 49-year-old was charged with assault and battery. Instead of jail time, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office decided 52 sessions of anger management and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings would suffice. If Lachey completes every session in what is known as the Pre-Filing Diversion program, no further criminal action will be taken.
In a tweet shortly after the altercation, Lachey took to Twitter to explain his side. He admitted that he “overreacted” and said that given his career in the music business, he should have known better than to act the way he did towards the woman.
Last night, after enjoying a great dinner with my wife and our dear friend, the paparazzi harassed us as we walked back to our hotel. I clearly overreacted. I’ve been in this game long enough to know that their antics are sadly part of the deal. Stupid of me. Done.
— Nick Lachey (@NickLachey) March 28, 2022
Santos said no other famous person had ever tried to attack her before. She believes the former pop star should be “thanking” her for “free publicity.”
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