Paramount studio chief testifies in Hollywood wiretap case

AFP, March, 2008

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Paramount studio chief Brad Grey acknowledged links to a private detective at the center of a Hollywood wiretapping scandal but said he was unaware of crimes allegedly committed by the sleuth, a court heard on Thursday.

Grey said private eye Anthony Pellicano had been recruited by Hollywood super-lawyer Bert Fields to assist in two civil lawsuits filed against his production company, before he took over as Paramount chief executive.

However Grey told Pellicano's federal racketeering trial in Los Angeles on Thursday that he had no knowledge of the sleuth's activities.

Fields, a famed attorney who has represented stars including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, held Pellicano "in very high regard," Grey told the court after being called as a prosecution witness.

"I understand Mr Fields had used the services of Mr Pellicano many times before that," he added, adding that he was not ...