Legal News

Pre-Gaming the Pellicano Trial: An A-List of Witnesses

By Dan Slater

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Almost. After a years-long investigation, private-eye-to-the-stars Anthony Pellicano will finally stand trial on Wednesday for racketeering, fraud and conspiracy — all part of an alleged scheme in which he allegedly used wiretaps and bribed law-enforcement officials and others to obtain confidential information on individuals. Here’s a story from LB colleague John Emshwiller, and here’s an NYT story. Click here, here and here for past LB coverage.

Pellicano did work in connection with disputes for a range of glitterati, such as entertainment lawyer Bert Fields, head of Paramount Brad Grey, and talent agent Michael Ovitz — though none of those three has been charged with wrongdoing. Terry Christensen, an LA attorney who’s worked for billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, allegedly conspired with Pellicano to tap the telephone of Kerkorian’s former wife. Christensen, who has pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to be tried after Pellicano.

But the guest-list at the Pellicano trial is set to be as high-class as anything. The folowing four witnesses, among others, will testify that they paid Pellicano to wiretap their adversaries illegally and listened as he played back the results.

Adam Sender, a noted art collector and the manager of hedge fund Exis Capital, will testify that Pellicano wiretapped a movie producer he accused of bilking him out of more than $1 million.

Alec Gores, the founder of the buyout firm Gores Group, will testify that Pellicano wiretapped his wife and his younger brother to confirm his suspicions about the nature of their relationship.

Sandra Will Carradine, the former wife of the actor Keith Carradine, will testify she listened to Pellicano’s illegal recordings of Mr. Carradine’s phone calls during a property dispute in her divorce case.

Susan Reddan Maguire, the former wife of developer Robert Maguire, will testify that Pellicano wiretapped her husband during their divorce, including conversations Mr. Maguire had with his psychiatrist and girlfriend.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on March 03, 2008 (boomark / email).