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The lede in today's Daily Journal, by staff writer John Hanusz:
For months, the Los Angeles legal community has nervously awaited word of indictments arising from the federal wiretapping probe of Anthony Pellicano, gumshoe to the stars. Of particular interest is whether lawyers who hired Pellicano and perhaps knew of his alleged illegal eavesdropping would find themselves in the dock alongside the sleuth.Now federal prosecutors have issued the first known charges in the investigation, and they have ensnared not Pellicano or his clients but Pellicano’s ex-girlfriend.
On Friday, Sandra Will Carradine pleaded guilty to lying to the grand jury investigating the allegations against Pellicano. She is cooperating in the probe, sources say.
Several sources spoke about the case on condition of anonymity citing the secret nature of the investigation.
Prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel A. Saunders and Kevin M. Lally, filed charges in November against Carradine, the former wife of actor Keith Carradine.
Carradine pleaded guilty to both counts of a two-count information. Sources would not disclose the nature of the second charge. Sources also would not describe the nature of her grand-jury testimony and what kind of evidence she has provided against Pellicano.
The charges against Carradine remain sealed....During the closed hearing in front of Senior U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi, Carradine changed her initial plea and admitted to the government’s allegations, sources said. In response to a reporter’s objections to the hearing’s closure, Saunders cited the ongoing investigation and concerns for the safety of witnesses.
Remember, Pellicano and Alexander Proctor were indicted on charges they threatened former Times reporter Anita Busch, who was investigating actor Steven Seagal's ties to organized crime.
Previously on LA Observed:
Whither Anita Busch
Pellicano charged in Anita Busch case
Anita Busch sues
Proctor goes away