Apr 9, 2008 10:08 am US/Pacific
Ex-Disney President Testifies In Pellicano Case
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
Former Disney president and superagent Michael Ovitz has testified that he had discussions with indicted Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano about getting embarrassing information about two reporters.
In his initial testimony Wednesday, Ovitz said the reporters were writing negative articles about him in 2002, when his company, Artists Management Group, was in negotiations to be acquired.
Ovitz says the stories alleged financial problems in his company.
Ovitz has yet to disclose what information he sought from Pellicano. His testimony is continuing. Ovitz also says a law firm he hired to handle three lawsuits against his company used Pellicano as part of the cases and billed Ovitz for the detective's time.
Pellicano and four other co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to using wiretaps and other tactics to dig up dirt to help clients in legal and other disputes.
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