Stars on witness list in wiretaps case

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Sylvester Stallone, Chris Rock and Garry Shandling were included on a list of potential witnesses released Wednesday in the federal wiretapping trial of a Hollywood private eye and four co-defendants.

Lawyers also completed jury selection in the case. Opening statements were set to begin Thursday, with private investigator Anthony Pellicano acting as his own lawyer.

The witness list compiled by prosecutors included 127 people, but it was not clear how many would actually testify.

Also named were Brad Grey, chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures, and Ron Meyer, president and chief executive officer of Universal Studios.

Pellicano, 63, 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 advantage in divorce, business and other cases.

Stallone and Shandling were alleged victims. Federal authorities previously questioned Grey, Meyer and prominent entertainment attorney Bert Fields -- who is also on the list -- about their connections to Pellicano.

Representatives of comedian Rock retained Pellicano in a paternity battle, according to court documents.

Prosecutors estimate Pellicano, 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.

Pellicano and his co-defendants, including Kevin Kachikian and Abner Nicherie, have pleaded not guilty. E-mail to a friend

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