Sly Stallone, Garry Shandling, and Chris Rock are just a few of the celebs who may be called to testify in the wiretapping case of Anthony Pellicano, a private investigator who allegedly schemed celebs and others out of millions of dollars by using confidential info he gained from wiretapping to threaten and extort money, the NY Daily News reports. Opening statements begin today.
Stallone and Shandling were alleged victims of Pellicano's scheme, while Rock had himself retained the PI for assistance in a paternity battle.
Federal authorities have already questioned entertainment honchos Brad Grey (chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures) and Ron Meyer (president and CEO of Universal). Powerful entertainment attorney Bert Fields was also on the list of people questioned about their connections to Pellicano.
Pellicano is accused of running a crime ring in which wiretapped phones and bribed police officers and telephone workers generated nearly $2 million from those he threatened.
Pellicano has pleaded not guilty; he is representing himself. He says he's got tons of dirt on many celebrities but that he won't spill the beans in or out of court.
Pellicano was indicted two years ago along with retired Los Angeles Police Sgt. Mark Arneson and former telephone company employee Rayford Earl Turner.
We hope the stars turn out and we hope they'll put cameras in the courtroom!