A revered Hollywood lawyer was sentenced to three years in jail on Monday for his part in the wiretapping scheme involving the ex-wife of MGM studios mogul Kirk Kerkorian.
Terry Christensen and Hollywood private detective Anthony Pellicano were both convicted of breaking the law to get their high-profile clients information they needed for legal assaults.
Pellicano was convicted of wiretapping and Christensen was found guilty of aiding and abetting a wiretap in August.
Christensen has been ordered to stay in prison for three years for recording the phone conversations of billionaire investor Kerkorian's ex-wife, Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, in an effort to disprove her claims that the businessman was the father of her daughter.
DNA tests later proved Steve Bing, dad of Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian, was the girl's biological father.
Christensen will also face three years probation and a $250,000 (GBP166,000) fine. He will remain free on $100,000 (GBP66,000) bond pending an appeal.
U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer told the court, "In a real sense, the legal community and justice are victims of this crime."
Pellicano was convicted of federal racketeering and other charges in May. He will be sentenced next month.
Comedian Chris Rock and top Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz were among those who testified at the Pellicano trial, which began in February.
Both admitted to hiring the private detective but insisted they had no idea about his illegal practices.
Terry Christensen and Hollywood private detective Anthony Pellicano were both convicted of breaking the law to get their high-profile clients information they needed for legal assaults.
Pellicano was convicted of wiretapping and Christensen was found guilty of aiding and abetting a wiretap in August.
Christensen has been ordered to stay in prison for three years for recording the phone conversations of billionaire investor Kerkorian's ex-wife, Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, in an effort to disprove her claims that the businessman was the father of her daughter.
DNA tests later proved Steve Bing, dad of Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian, was the girl's biological father.
Christensen will also face three years probation and a $250,000 (GBP166,000) fine. He will remain free on $100,000 (GBP66,000) bond pending an appeal.
U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer told the court, "In a real sense, the legal community and justice are victims of this crime."
Pellicano was convicted of federal racketeering and other charges in May. He will be sentenced next month.
Comedian Chris Rock and top Hollywood agent Michael Ovitz were among those who testified at the Pellicano trial, which began in February.
Both admitted to hiring the private detective but insisted they had no idea about his illegal practices.
- 11/25/2008
- WENN
Entertainment attorney Terry Christensen's hopes of being tried separately from former celebrity sleuth Anthony Pellicano could be dashed.
On Monday, Pellicano and the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a stipulation agreeing that the former private eye should be tried with Christensen when Pellicano's current trial on racketeering and wiretapping charges concludes.
Christensen and Pellicano have been charged with conspiracy to intercept and interception of wire communications in connection with the alleged wiretapping from March to May 2002 of Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, the ex-wife of billionaire Kirk Kerkorian. Christensen represented Kirk Kerkorian in a child-custody dispute with his ex. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In February, as the trial against Pellicano, Christensen and four others inched closer to a start date, the Los Angeles lawyer won his bid to be tried separately. U.S. District Court Judge Dale Fischer agreed with Christensen that the evidence against him, if correct, involved only two of the 111 counts charged in the government's indictment.
Fischer ordered that Christensen's trial start 30-45 days after Pellicano's current trial is over.
On Monday, Pellicano and the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a stipulation agreeing that the former private eye should be tried with Christensen when Pellicano's current trial on racketeering and wiretapping charges concludes.
Christensen and Pellicano have been charged with conspiracy to intercept and interception of wire communications in connection with the alleged wiretapping from March to May 2002 of Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, the ex-wife of billionaire Kirk Kerkorian. Christensen represented Kirk Kerkorian in a child-custody dispute with his ex. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In February, as the trial against Pellicano, Christensen and four others inched closer to a start date, the Los Angeles lawyer won his bid to be tried separately. U.S. District Court Judge Dale Fischer agreed with Christensen that the evidence against him, if correct, involved only two of the 111 counts charged in the government's indictment.
Fischer ordered that Christensen's trial start 30-45 days after Pellicano's current trial is over.
A grand jury indicted prominent Hollywood attorney Terry Christensen on Wednesday for allegedly hiring investigator Anthony Pellicano to wiretap Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, the ex-wife of billionaire and former MGM owner Kirk Kerkorian. Christensen is accused of paying Pellicano at least $100,000 to illegally eavesdrop on Bonder Kerkorian's conversations with her attorney, a court mediator and others to gain a tactical advantage in a legal dispute. Kirk Kerkorian is not implicated in the indictment, though sources said the underlying case involved a child support battle over Bonder Kerkorian's daughter, who Kirk Kerkorian was accused of fathering.
- 2/16/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A grand jury indicted prominent Hollywood attorney Terry Christensen on Wednesday for allegedly hiring investigator Anthony Pellicano to wiretap Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, the ex-wife of billionaire and former MGM owner Kirk Kerkorian. Christensen is accused of paying Pellicano at least $100,000 to illegally eavesdrop on Bonder Kerkorian's conversations with her attorney, a court mediator and others to gain a tactical advantage in a legal dispute. Kirk Kerkorian is not implicated in the indictment, though sources said the underlying case involved a child support battle over Bonder Kerkorian's daughter, who Kirk Kerkorian was accused of fathering.
- 2/16/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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