Pellicano guilty in wiretapping case

Los Angeles -- A Los Angeles jury has found former private investigator Anthony Pellicano guilty of 76 federal charges, including illegal wiretapping and racketeering.

The jury announced its verdict Thursday after deliberating for nine days, The New York Times reported.

The Hollywood private investigator's four co-defendants were also convicted of a variety of charges.

"We are extremely pleased and gratified," lead prosecutor Daniel A. Saunders told the Times as he left the courthouse.

Pellicano represented himself in his trial on charges including bribing police, wire fraud and wiretapping to get information on celebrities Pellicano investigated such as actors Sylvester Stallone, Keith Carradine and Garry Shandling, and developer Robert Maguire.

Pellicano said in his closing statement he was just doing his job as a private eye by looking for information, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Pellicano faces up to 20 years in prison for the racketeering count. He is to be sentenced Sept. 24.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.