Hollwyood wiretaps
Los Angeles, March 6, 2008 The wiretapping trial of the tough-talking Pellicano and four
co-defendants was expected to begin Thursday with opening
statements, a day after a jury was impaneled.
Pellicano, 63, is representing himself at trial and could
provide fireworks when he cross-examines some of his former clients
and employees expected to testify.
On Wednesday, federal prosecutors released a list of 127
potential witnesses that included Sylvester Stallone, Chris Rock
and Garry Shandling.
Pellicano is accused of running a criminal enterprise that
wiretapped phones and bribed police and telephone workers.
Prosecutors said he obtained confidential information that could be
used to gain an advantage in divorce, business and other cases.
Prosecutors estimate Pellicano and two co-defendants - retired
Los Angeles police Sgt. Mark Arneson and former telephone company
employee Rayford Earl Turner - collected nearly $2 million from
what they say was a racketeering scheme.
Kevin Kachikian and
Abner Nicherie, have pleaded not guilty.
"At the end of the day I hope the jurors understand one thing -
that I'm not a criminal enterprise," Pellicano told The Associated
Press in an interview last month from federal prison. "If they
understand that I'm ecstatic."
Fourteen people have been charged, and seven already pleaded
guilty to a variety of charges including perjury and conspiracy.
Six of those seven, including film director John McTiernan and
former Hollywood Records president Robert Pfeifer, are expected to
be called by prosecutors.
Other prominent Hollywood players on the potential witness list
include one-time Walt Disney Co. president and agent Michael Ovitz;
Brad Grey, chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount
Pictures; and Ron Meyer, president and chief executive officer of
Universal Studios.
Stallone and Shandling were alleged victims in the case.
Stallone told the AP last month that he wouldn't mind testifying.
One of the first prosecution witnesses was expected to be
retired baseball player Matt Williams, who had a bitter divorce
with his second wife, actress Michelle Johnson, in 2002.
Prosecutors said in a court filing they have an audio recording of
Williams and Pellicano, but didn't elaborate.
The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks.
