Entertainment News

Pellicano sentenced to 15 years in prison

Published: Dec. 15, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Order reprints

Slideshow

1 of 2

Actor Jack Nicholson (L) shares a light moment with director James L. Brooks (2nd-L) as they sit courtside with producer Michael Ovitz (3rd-L) and actor/director Peter Berg (R) during third quarter action of the Lakers/Clippers NBA game in Los Angeles, California November 18, 2005. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 97-91. Brooks directed Nicholson in the film "As Good as it Gets." (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)... | Enlarge

"private detective Anthon..." search results
"celebrity private detective" search results
"federal judge" search results

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Los Angeles Monday sentenced former celebrity private detective Anthony Pellicano to 15 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer also ordered the ex-private eye and two other defendants to forfeit $2 million, Variety.com said.

Pellicano, 64, was convicted earlier this year of 78 counts of wiretapping, racketeering, conspiracy and wire fraud in two separate trials, during which he represented himself.

During his first trial, Hollywood studio boss Brad Grey, attorney Bert Fields, former power broker Michael Ovitz, director John McTiernan, producer Charles Roven and comedian Chris Rock testified about their connections to Pellicano, while Garry Shandling and Kevin Nealon took the stand to recount how Pellicano had illegally investigated them via wiretapping and police database searches.

Pellicano was also convicted in a second trial of wiretapping billionaire Kirk Kerkorian's ex-wife during the former couple's child-support battle.