Angelina Jolie Drops Case Against FBI Over 2016 Plane Incident Involving Brad Pitt
Angelina Jolie has reportedly dropped her legal battle against the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding documents linked to a 2016 plane incident involving her then-husband, actor Brad Pitt. This decision marks the end of a prolonged legal conflict that had drawn public interest due to the high-profile nature of both celebrities involved.
According to court documents obtained by People, Jolie, 49, dismissed the case on Wednesday, September 25. The actress had filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in 2021, seeking access to FBI records concerning an alleged altercation between Pitt and herself on a private plane. The incident reportedly occurred just days before Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, with whom she shares six children.
The 2016 Plane Incident
The 2016 plane incident has been a focal point in Jolie and Pitt’s turbulent divorce proceedings. The alleged altercation took place while the family was traveling on a private jet from France to the United States. Reports at the time claimed that a visibly intoxicated Pitt became verbally abusive toward Jolie and physical with one of their children during the flight.
The couple’s six children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox—were reportedly present during the altercation. Following the incident, the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the FBI launched investigations into Pitt’s conduct, examining whether child abuse had occurred. By late 2016, both the DCFS and the FBI cleared Pitt of any wrongdoing, and no charges were filed against the actor.
Pitt has repeatedly denied the allegations. Sources close to him stated that while he acknowledged the tensions during the flight, the claims of physical abuse were exaggerated. Nonetheless, the incident became a turning point in Jolie and Pitt’s relationship, with Jolie filing for divorce just days after the flight, citing irreconcilable differences.
The FOIA Request and Legal Battle
Jolie’s FOIA request, which became public in 2021, was part of her efforts to obtain FBI records related to the 2016 investigation. Legal analysts speculated that Jolie’s pursuit of the records was aimed at gaining clarity on the FBI’s decision not to file charges against Pitt, or to use the information in ongoing legal matters related to custody of their children and other disputes.
Jolie had filed the FOIA request under the name “Jane Doe” to maintain some privacy in the proceedings. The lawsuit sought detailed documents and investigative records from the 2016 inquiry. Although some records were released to Jolie’s legal team, she reportedly believed that key information was still being withheld.
However, after years of legal wrangling, Jolie has now opted to drop the case. It remains unclear what prompted this decision, though some legal experts suggest it could be related to the ongoing efforts to settle other legal disputes with Pitt, including their drawn-out custody battle and the litigation over their jointly owned French vineyard, Château Miraval.
The Château Miraval Dispute
Jolie’s legal case against the FBI reignited in the midst of a broader dispute with Pitt over Château Miraval, a vineyard the couple purchased together in 2011. In 2022, Pitt sued Jolie for selling her stake in the vineyard without his consent, a claim Jolie’s legal team has contested.
In response to Pitt’s lawsuit, Jolie’s team referenced the 2016 plane incident, adding to the long list of grievances between the former couple. In the legal filings, Jolie accused Pitt of physically assaulting two of their children during the flight, allegations that Pitt has consistently denied. A source close to Pitt labeled these accusations as “completely untrue,” reiterating that he had already been cleared by investigators years earlier.
A Chapter Closed?
The decision to drop the case against the FBI might indicate Jolie’s desire to close this chapter of her life, particularly as her legal battles with Pitt have stretched on for years, drawing public scrutiny. However, the legal disputes between the former couple, especially related to the custody of their children and the Château Miraval vineyard, are far from over.
With both stars continuing to navigate the aftermath of their divorce, the public remains engaged in the story of how one of Hollywood’s most famous power couples unraveled. Jolie’s decision to end the legal fight over the FBI documents could be a step toward resolution, but it also underscores the complexity of celebrity legal battles that blend personal trauma with public fascination.
