Brian Damage
03-13-2008, 09:45 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Comedian Garry Shandling says he was troubled when he saw his name on an unauthorized background check that prosecutors allege was part of an illegal scheme to dig up dirt on celebrities. Shandling is among the witnesses testifying Thursday at the Los Angeles trial of private eye Anthony Pellicano and four other defendants.
Shandling says prosecutors showed him that police databases had been searched for his personal information in 1999. At the time Shandling was involved in a lawsuit with his former manager and now Paramount studios head Brad Grey. The suit was settled, but Shandling says he doesn't know if the information was used against him.
Prosecutors say a racketeering scheme headed by Pellicano dug up dirt on prominent Hollywood clients for use in legal and other disputes. The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Shandling says prosecutors showed him that police databases had been searched for his personal information in 1999. At the time Shandling was involved in a lawsuit with his former manager and now Paramount studios head Brad Grey. The suit was settled, but Shandling says he doesn't know if the information was used against him.
Prosecutors say a racketeering scheme headed by Pellicano dug up dirt on prominent Hollywood clients for use in legal and other disputes. The defendants have pleaded not guilty.