Following a 2022 altercation with a photographer, Nick Lachey was not charged with a misdemeanor. Lachey admitted that he “clearly overreacted” to the situation, and has been attending anger management courses and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) following the incident. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office issued a statement on the matter, and explained why no charges were filed.
“Mr. Lachey has not been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. Instead he is participating in LADA’s Prefiling Diversion program, which was established in 2017. As part of these conditions he must participate in anger management classes and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings,” the statement read. Should Lachey complete the program successfully, no criminal charges will be filed.
The March 2022 incident occurred after Lachey was returning to a hotel after having dinner with his wife and a friend. He reached into the photographer’s car window and attempted to take her phone. The photographer was allegedly a reporter for TMZ. Lachey took to Twitter to recognize his mistake.
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
49-year-old Lachey is known for his work as a member of the band 98°, and as a television personality, featuring on “Love Is Blind” “Newlyweds With Nick and Jessica”, “Dancing With The Stars,” and more. While some fans defended his behavior and felt that the photographer only further escalated the situation by recording him and asking why he was “so mad,” others agreed that his anger management and AA meetings were a necessary move for his wellbeing.
You’re human and reacting the way anyone would of if they were the ones being harassed…
— Terrie Giguere (@EastTnGirly) March 28, 2022
She was sat in her car miles away from you? Never realised you had such an aggressive streak, it was scary
— Claire (@Claireyalli) March 28, 2022
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Some felt that the nature of his Twitter apology could have been what landed him in anger management classes, as he did not directly apologize to the photographer.
That is a terrible apology at best. Do better
— Barbara Brown (@BarbaraB0515) March 29, 2022
Lachey has currently not issued further comment on the Los Angeles District Attorney Office’s statement on his participation in the Prefiling Diversion program.
