Some charges dropped in Pellicano case

LOS ANGELES, April 10 (UPI) -- U.S. prosecutors in Los Angeles have dropped several charges against Anthony Pellicano, a private eye on trial for illegal wiretapping and racketeering.

U.S. Attorney Dan Saunders told TMZ.com nearly half of the charges against Pellicano were dismissed because some of the high-profile, alleged victims in the case were unavailable to testify.

The entertainment news Web site did not say which charges had been dropped.

Pellicano is representing himself in the trial, which has seen celebrities, such as actor-comedian Chris Rock and former talent agent and ex-president of the Walt Disney Company Michael Ovitz, testify about why they hired Pellicano.