Paparazzo in Justin Bieber car chase charged

A paparazzo faces criminal charges in connection with a high-speed chase of Justin Bieber earlier this month, marking the first use of a California law designed to clamp down on photographers' reckless pursuit of celebrities, The Associated Press reports.

The Los Angeles city attorney's office Wednesday filed four charges against Paul 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 1 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 car 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 driven by Bieber.