LOS ANGELES – A paparazzo photographer faces criminal charges in connection with a high-speed chase of Justin Bieber earlier 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 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 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 several 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 him 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.

‘Twilight’ star apologizes for affair

LOS ANGELES – Kristen Stewart has apologized publicly to boyfriend and “Twilight” co-star Robert Pattinson following tabloid reports she had a brief affair with her “Snow White and the Huntsman” director, Rupert Sanders.

The 22-year-old actress issued her apology to People magazine on Wednesday. It was quickly followed by an apology to People from Sanders, who is 41, to his family. Stewart has been in a relationship for several years with Pattinson. Sanders is married and has two children.

“I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused …,” Stewart said. “This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most: Rob. … I’m so sorry.”

Judge shifts Jackson kids’ care to cousin

LOS ANGELES – A judge on Wednesday stepped into the turmoil roiling the Jackson family, appointing the son of Tito Jackson to serve as temporary guardian of Michael Jackson’s children in the absence of the family matriarch and in the midst of a feud over the late pop superstar’s estate.

Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff temporarily suspended Katherine Jackson as the children’s guardian because she is in Arizona and hadn’t spoken with them in several days. He appointed Tito Joe “TJ” Jackson to serve as a temporary guardian able to control the hilltop home where the children live and supervise in other ways.

Beckloff said there was no evidence that Katherine Jackson had done anything wrong but instead it appeared she was being prevented from fulfilling her role as guardian through the “intentional acts of third parties.” He didn’t elaborate.

– From news service reports