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Hollywood PI surrenders
18/11/2003 13:51 - (SA)
Los Angeles - A private eye to Hollywood stars such as Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor surrendered to justice on Monday but refused to co-operate with a probe into the alleged bugging of celebrities.
Private investigator Anthony Pellicano turned himself in to detectives in Los Angeles to begin serving a jail term for weapons violations, vowing to take details of the phone-listening furore with him to his prison cell.
He pleaded guilty last month to a charge of possessing unregistered weapons - two hand grenades - and another of having C-4 military-grade explosives in his office when they were raided by police last year.
But prosecutors have also accused Pellicano, 59, of conducting illegal wiretaps involving top celebrities, charges which have reportedly got some of Hollywood's good and great very nervous.
And prosecutors suspect that some of the prominent lawyers and entertainment industry figures who hired Pellicano either authorised his activities or knew of them in advance, The Los Angeles Times said.
The FBI is looking into whether top Tinseltown figures and their attorneys were the victims of illegal wire-tapping, although few want to talk publicly about the possibility.
FBI agents are reportedly questioning superstar Warren Beatty and comedian Gary Shandling who are allegedly thought to have been targets of the bugging, according to published reports.
But Pellicano has refused to reveal any details of the alleged listening.
While he will not be formally sentenced until January 20, Pellicano agreed to begin serving a federal prison term expected to be 27 months to 33 months, although that plea agreement is not binding on the judge, said Thom Mrozek, spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office.
He was arrested last November when police raided his Hollywood office as part of an investigation triggered by a bizarre and bumbling threat made against a Los Angeles Times reporter probing an alleged mafia extortion plot against Hollywood star Steven Seagal.
- AFP
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South Africa
