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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Private Eye's Assistant Spills on Stand

Arranged wiretaps, transcribed tapes for Hollywood's Pellicano

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(Newser) – A former assistant to Anthony Pellicano, improbably named Tarita Virtue, told a packed courtoom yesterday that she transcribed many wiretapped conversations for the Hollywood private eye, Variety reports. She explained Pellicano's wiretapping process step by step, and described the detective's security system, including punch-code locks on every room  and files protected with the password "Omerta."

The office included a "War Room," Virtue said, where intercepted conversation could be listened to in real time. One of the Omerta files was called "Sissy—Cruise Missile Omerta," which she speculated referred to Tom Cruise, whose attorney hired Pellicano during Cruise's divorce from Nicole Kidman. Pellicano is charged with federal racketeering and wiretapping for illegally digging up dirt for clients involved in litigation or divorces.

In this courtroom sketch, Anthony Pellicano, speaks in court during his wiretapping trial, Thursday March 6, 2008 in Los Angeles. Pellicano, acting as his own attorney, spoke for only 10 minutes during his opening statement, contending he recorded and encrypted his own calls only as a way to create a...
In this courtroom sketch, Anthony Pellicano, speaks in court during his wiretapping trial, Thursday March 6, 2008 in Los Angeles. Pellicano, acting as his own attorney, spoke for only 10 minutes during...   (Associated Press)
Before the judge told her not to speculate, Anthony Pellicano's former assistant said that she though the code name
Before the judge told her not to speculate, Anthony Pellicano's former assistant said that she though the code name "Cruise Missile" in the private eye's files probably referred to Tom Cruise. (AP Photo/Matt...   (Associated Press)
Anthony Pellicano's former assistant testified at the private eye's trial yesterday. Pellicano is accused of running a criminal enterprise and tapping phones on behalf of his clients. There are a number of big Hollywood celebrities on the witness list.
Anthony Pellicano's former assistant testified at the private eye's trial yesterday. Pellicano is accused of running a criminal enterprise and tapping phones on behalf of his clients. There are a number...   ((c) BigMcGuire)
In this artist's depiction, private investigator Anthony Pellicano is seen acting as his own attorney in his federal wiretapping case Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Bill Robles)
In this artist's depiction, private investigator Anthony Pellicano is seen acting as his own attorney in his federal wiretapping case Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Bill Robles)   (Associated Press)
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reader2009b
Jun 11, 09 3:37 AM CDT
Too bad, Ms. Virtue is an absolute fox! Find me on the internet Torita... johnwwwatson Reply
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