Shandling Says Private Eye Smeared Him

Celebs expected to be called in Pellicano racketeering case

(NEWSER) - The illegal wiretapping and racketeering trial of Hollywood private detective Anthony Pellicano kicked off yesterday with a celebrity-studded witness list that sounds more like a casting call than a legal action, the Guardian reports. Sylvester Stallone, Farrah Fawcett and Chris Rock are among 127 possible prosecution witnesses. Studio heads and celebrity divorce lawyers could also testify in the long-awaited case. More»

Arranged wiretaps, transcribed tapes for Hollywood's Pellicano

(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." More»

(NEWSER) - Former Hollywood detective Anthony Pellicano was sentenced 15 years in prison today, Variety reports. Convicted earlier this year on 78 counts including wiretapping and conspiracy, Pellicano was also told to pay $2 million with two other defendants. Former Los Angeles Times reporter Anita Busch, who helped bring Pellicano to trial, admonished him before sentencing: "I battled constant fear," she said. More»

'Ultimate problem solver' Pellicano faces hefty term after racketeering conviction

(NEWSER) - Celebrity private detective Anthony Pellicano was found guilty today of 76 of the 77 charges he faced, including racketeering, wire fraud, and illegal wiretapping, the Los Angeles Times reports. Pellicano, 64, could face a life sentence after prosecutors won conviction on charges he illegally threatened and placed several prominent celebrities under surveillance at the behest of his clients. More»

Action star targets FBI for sabotaging his career

(NEWSER) - Steven Seagal, the high-kicking, cartel-busting action star that dominated the "Under Siege" movies in the early 90s, is demanding an apology from the FBI for allegedly shattering his stardom, the LA Times reports. Seagal's career didn't prove that hard to kill—he has been headlining in low-rent straight-to-DVD films ever since rumors surfaced that he had threatened journalists and had mob ties. More»