People News
Anthony Pellicano found guilty, 76 out of 77 charges
By M&C People
May 15, 2008, 21:42 GMT

P.I. Anthony Pellicano was found guilty on 76 of 77 charges.

The former Hollywood heavy and private eye used illegal methods, including wiretapping, to investigate individuals for his powerhouse lawyers and clients.

The federal jury convicted him of 76 of the 77 charges he faced, including one count each of racketeering and conspiracy, wire fraud, identity theft, conspiracy to intercept telephone calls, or use wiretaps.

Variety reports that he was convicted for manufacturing a wiretapping device too.

The jury has spent 10 days deliberating on the 78 counts against Pellicano and four co-defendants.  The trial lasted nine weeks.

Pellicano, 64,  intimdated and dug dirt on Gary Shandling, Kevin Nealon, Sylvester Stallone, Bo Zenga, Los Angeles Times reporter Anita Busch, Charles Roven, John McTiernan and CAA agents Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane, and worked for clients such as big Hollywood lawyer Bert Fields, producer Brad Grey, agents Ron Meyer, Michael Ovitz and actor Chris Rock, who testified that he knew nothing of Pellicano’s illegal methods.

The P.I. is already is serving time on a seperate weapons and explosive charge.

He is looking at a possible 10 year prsion sentence.

Pellicano has another upcoming trial, along with lawyer Terry Christensen, over investigating Kirk Kerkorian’s ex-wife, Lisa Bonder Kerkorian.

“Everyone who hired (Pellicano) knew what they were getting -- no doubt about it. Winning. That’s what it was all about,” said Pellicano during a rambling 20-minute closing statement two weeks ago. He ended it with telling the jury, “Life teaches you to utilize common sense, and I leave that common sense to you.”