Angelina Jolie Ends Legal Fight with FBI Over Brad Pitt Abuse Claims on Private Jet

Angelina Jolie has officially ended her two-year legal dispute with the Department of Justice and the FBI regarding documents tied to abuse allegations against Brad Pitt. The actress had sought information concerning an investigation into an alleged incident in 2016 involving the couple during a private flight.

Jolie's Legal Action as 'Jane Doe'

Angelina Jolie had been conducting a legal campaign under the guise of 'Jane Doe' to secure documents from the FBI related to their investigation. This inquiry stemmed from claims alleging an altercation between Jolie and Pitt aboard a private jet back in September 2016. The documents in question were sought by Jolie following a Freedom of Information Act request she initiated in 2021.

Allegations and Investigation Outcomes

The 60-year-old actor Brad Pitt faced accusations of pouring red wine and beer over Jolie and one of their children during the flight. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, no charges were ultimately filed after the FBI conducted a thorough investigation, which was publicly confirmed by an FBI spokesperson in November 2016. The specifics of the alleged altercation first became known when a Freedom of Information court filing emerged in August 2022.

Recent Developments in the Case

Court documents reveal that Jolie informed the court of her decision to drop the legal action on September 25, stating both parties would bear their own legal costs. The investigations by the FBI and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services had been prompted by the allegations involving the couple.

Background of Their Relationship and Custody Battle

Jolie and Pitt's relationship began in 2005 with their co-starring in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." They wed in August 2014, but the marriage lasted only 25 months. The deterioration of their relationship has been accompanied by a contentious custody battle over their six children, four of whom are now adults. The couple shares three biological children—Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16, alongside adopted children Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Zahara, 19.

Complications Over Shared Assets

In addition to the custody disputes, Jolie and Pitt have faced legal challenges concerning their French vineyard, Chateau Miraval. Jolie sold her 50 percent stake in the winery earlier this year, a decision Pitt contends was not lawful. During this period, concerns arose regarding an $8.5 million non-disclosure agreement alleged to have been presented to Jolie by Pitt, which she claimed was intended to silence her regarding the abuse allegations.

Legal Arguments and Privacy Concerns

Jolie's legal representation has asserted that her actions in selling her share of Chateau Miraval were not driven by malice. Instead, they argue, it was Pitt who imposed conditions that required her silence concerning his alleged abuse. The documents disclosed that Pitt's refusal to purchase her interest without enforcing a newly expanded NDA highlighted the complexities of their ongoing disputes. Jolie's attorneys criticized Pitt's arguments related to the privacy of domestic violence, labeling them as outdated and lacking legal support in contemporary law.

Disposition of Communications and Legal Strategy

Jolie's representatives have further requested that Pitt surrender his personal communications as part of the ongoing discovery in the case concerning the winery, a request met with pushback from Pitt's legal team. Pitt's attorneys have designated the demand as 'wide-ranging' and 'intrusive,' arguing that it encroaches on sensitive personal matters, including his voluntary therapy sessions after the alleged incident on the flight.