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Music
Figure Held in Pellicano Case
Los Angeles Times / February 5, 2006
Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writer
In the latest chapter of a still-unfolding investigation, FBI agents have quietly arrested a former music industry executive in connection with the wiretap and conspiracy prosecution of former Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano.
Robert Joseph Pfeifer, 50, once president of Disney-owned Hollywood Records, was taken into custody Friday afternoon and held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, sources close to the investigation said Saturday. The sources added that more people could be charged by Monday, when authorities are expected to unseal a federal indictment against Pellicano and others.
Although the charges against Pfeifer could not be learned, his estranged wife in court documents said he was a longtime friend of Pellicano and had known for two years that he was a subject of the investigation into the detectives' activities.
As part of a custody battle, Maria Misejova Pfeifer filed a sworn declaration alleging that Pfeifer had fled to Canada last September because he believed that an indictment was imminent.
Because of Pfeifer's "investigation by the FBI and his affiliation with Mr. Pellicano," Pfeifer "has contemplated and threatened to flee the jurisdiction in the past," she said in her Jan. 16 declaration.
She went on to refer to an e-mail in which Pfeifer allegedly stated: "Hypothetically, I am assuming I will not have the money to fight this if it escalates; I am not going to jail. You see me. I wouldn't last a night. I have two alternatives then to run or commit suicide … " The date of the e-mail is not clear from the documents.
Also filed in the custody case was a partial e-mail from Pfeifer's attorney referring to the possibility that Pfeifer would be indicted for conspiracy, illegal wiretapping, computer fraud and obstruction of justice. The e-mail was dated July 2004 and addressed to the two federal prosecutors overseeing the Pellicano case.
Pellicano, who had been serving a 30-month sentence on illegal explosives charges, was transferred from a federal prison near Bakersfield to the San Bernardino County Jail on Friday in anticipation of his arraignment Monday.
The more than three-year investigation has shaken entertainment and legal circles because the 61-year-old private investigator over the years had worked on behalf of some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as its most prominent attorneys.
His new attorney, Steven Gruel, said Saturday that Pellicano would not testify against others, including former clients.
"It is my firm belief that Mr. Pellicano is adamant in his determination not to cooperate with the federal prosecution," Gruel said.
A former federal prosecutor in San Francisco, Gruel said he first met Pellicano a decade ago when the private investigator was called as a government witness to refute allegations that the FBI had fabricated an audiotape recording to frame an Asian organized crime figure.
"He was the best witness I ever had in 16 years as a prosecutor," Gruel said. "Without question."
Neither Pfeifer nor his attorney, Leonard Sharenow, could be reached for comment Saturday.
But just hours before Pfeifer's arrest, Sharenow had denied that his client had been involved in any illegal activity. Contacted for comment about the allegations in Maria Pfeifer's court papers, Sharenow said Pfeifer had not spoken to authorities since a July 2004 meeting with federal prosecutors and the FBI.
"Originally, they referred to him as a subject. We had a meeting. And that was the last of it," Sharenow said.
"As far as I know, this matter is completely dead with regard to Mr. Pfeifer."
A former musician and producer, Pfeifer was a member of the early 1980s band Human Switchboard, which recorded an album for I.R.S. Records, according to published reports. He was president of Hollywood Records from 1994 to 1997. Before joining Disney, he worked as an artist and repertoire executive at Epic Records, a division of Sony. In 2000, he founded the multimedia company Segnana Inc.
Hollywood Records was sued for sexual harassment in 1995, during Pfeifer's tenure. The suit was settled out of court.
In an interview last week, Maria Pfeifer claimed that her ex-husband and Pellicano had been friends for years and that Pfeifer referred to the flamboyant private eye as his godfather. Before Pellicano's arrest in 2003, Pfeifer had twice hired the private investigator in connection with civil lawsuits, she said.
Maria Pfeifer also claimed that she saw the investigator and Pfeifer in Pellicano's sport utility vehicle several times wearing headsets and listening to tape recordings.
The federal investigation of Pellicano began in the fall of 2002 as a probe of a threat against a Los Angeles Times reporter. In searches of his Sunset Boulevard offices, the FBI recovered grenades and explosives that led to the 30-month federal prison sentence.
Three weeks ago, former Beverly Hills Police Officer Craig Stevens and Pellicano's onetime girlfriend, Sandra Will Carradine, pleaded guilty to lying about Pellicano's use of illegal tactics.
Contributing to this report were Times staff writer Chuck Philips and research librarian Robin Mayper.
Los Angeles Times / February 5, 2006
Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writer
In the latest chapter of a still-unfolding investigation, FBI agents have quietly arrested a former music industry executive in connection with the wiretap and conspiracy prosecution of former Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano.
Robert Joseph Pfeifer, 50, once president of Disney-owned Hollywood Records, was taken into custody Friday afternoon and held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, sources close to the investigation said Saturday. The sources added that more people could be charged by Monday, when authorities are expected to unseal a federal indictment against Pellicano and others.
Although the charges against Pfeifer could not be learned, his estranged wife in court documents said he was a longtime friend of Pellicano and had known for two years that he was a subject of the investigation into the detectives' activities.
As part of a custody battle, Maria Misejova Pfeifer filed a sworn declaration alleging that Pfeifer had fled to Canada last September because he believed that an indictment was imminent.
Because of Pfeifer's "investigation by the FBI and his affiliation with Mr. Pellicano," Pfeifer "has contemplated and threatened to flee the jurisdiction in the past," she said in her Jan. 16 declaration.
She went on to refer to an e-mail in which Pfeifer allegedly stated: "Hypothetically, I am assuming I will not have the money to fight this if it escalates; I am not going to jail. You see me. I wouldn't last a night. I have two alternatives then to run or commit suicide … " The date of the e-mail is not clear from the documents.
Also filed in the custody case was a partial e-mail from Pfeifer's attorney referring to the possibility that Pfeifer would be indicted for conspiracy, illegal wiretapping, computer fraud and obstruction of justice. The e-mail was dated July 2004 and addressed to the two federal prosecutors overseeing the Pellicano case.
Pellicano, who had been serving a 30-month sentence on illegal explosives charges, was transferred from a federal prison near Bakersfield to the San Bernardino County Jail on Friday in anticipation of his arraignment Monday.
The more than three-year investigation has shaken entertainment and legal circles because the 61-year-old private investigator over the years had worked on behalf of some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as its most prominent attorneys.
His new attorney, Steven Gruel, said Saturday that Pellicano would not testify against others, including former clients.
"It is my firm belief that Mr. Pellicano is adamant in his determination not to cooperate with the federal prosecution," Gruel said.
A former federal prosecutor in San Francisco, Gruel said he first met Pellicano a decade ago when the private investigator was called as a government witness to refute allegations that the FBI had fabricated an audiotape recording to frame an Asian organized crime figure.
"He was the best witness I ever had in 16 years as a prosecutor," Gruel said. "Without question."
Neither Pfeifer nor his attorney, Leonard Sharenow, could be reached for comment Saturday.
But just hours before Pfeifer's arrest, Sharenow had denied that his client had been involved in any illegal activity. Contacted for comment about the allegations in Maria Pfeifer's court papers, Sharenow said Pfeifer had not spoken to authorities since a July 2004 meeting with federal prosecutors and the FBI.
"Originally, they referred to him as a subject. We had a meeting. And that was the last of it," Sharenow said.
"As far as I know, this matter is completely dead with regard to Mr. Pfeifer."
A former musician and producer, Pfeifer was a member of the early 1980s band Human Switchboard, which recorded an album for I.R.S. Records, according to published reports. He was president of Hollywood Records from 1994 to 1997. Before joining Disney, he worked as an artist and repertoire executive at Epic Records, a division of Sony. In 2000, he founded the multimedia company Segnana Inc.
Hollywood Records was sued for sexual harassment in 1995, during Pfeifer's tenure. The suit was settled out of court.
In an interview last week, Maria Pfeifer claimed that her ex-husband and Pellicano had been friends for years and that Pfeifer referred to the flamboyant private eye as his godfather. Before Pellicano's arrest in 2003, Pfeifer had twice hired the private investigator in connection with civil lawsuits, she said.
Maria Pfeifer also claimed that she saw the investigator and Pfeifer in Pellicano's sport utility vehicle several times wearing headsets and listening to tape recordings.
The federal investigation of Pellicano began in the fall of 2002 as a probe of a threat against a Los Angeles Times reporter. In searches of his Sunset Boulevard offices, the FBI recovered grenades and explosives that led to the 30-month federal prison sentence.
Three weeks ago, former Beverly Hills Police Officer Craig Stevens and Pellicano's onetime girlfriend, Sandra Will Carradine, pleaded guilty to lying about Pellicano's use of illegal tactics.
Contributing to this report were Times staff writer Chuck Philips and research librarian Robin Mayper.
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Music
Producer Denied Bail in Pellicano Case
Los Angeles Times / February 8, 2006
Andrew Blankstein and Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writers
A music producer indicted in the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping case was ordered held without bail Tuesday after a federal magistrate judge ruled that he was a risk to flee the court's jurisdiction.
Robert Pfeifer was one of seven people named Monday in a sweeping 110-count indictment accusing Pellicano, a disgraced former private investigator, of heading a vast conspiracy to conduct wiretaps and dig up dirt on celebrities, reporters and entertainment executives.
The indictment is the first major blow in what is expected to be a wave of charges targeting misconduct in the entertainment and legal communities.
Pfeifer was former president of Disney-owned Hollywood Records and owns a multimedia business.
During a hearing Tuesday, prosecutors presented e-mails in which Pfeifer allegedly told a friend that he would commit suicide or flee rather than face losing his business and serving time in jail.
"I will know before I get served an indictment. And you know I am not sticking around for that," Pfeifer wrote in a Nov. 13, 2003, message to his friend Rosemary Carroll. "I would kill myself before I went to jail or trial. But first I would run."
Pfeifer's attorney, Leonard Sharenow, argued that his client, who was indicted on one count each of witness intimidation and aiding and abetting wiretapping, could face no more than two years in jail, not enough to prompt him to flee.
The e-mails were obtained by Pfeifer's estranged wife. Sharenow said that a judge hearing the couple's acrimonious child custody battle stated that she displayed an "appalling" lack of credibility.
But Magistrate Judge Stephen J. Hillman said the e-mails showed that Pfeifer was experiencing "intensely volatile emotions" and had tried to play a "cat and mouse game" with authorities, tracking when the indictment would be returned so he could leave the country, and ordered him held.
Pellicano, who just completed a 30-month federal prison term for possessing illegal explosives, pleaded not guilty to the new charges Monday and remains in custody.
Abner Nicherie, who is charged with aiding and abetting wiretapping, posted bond Tuesday and was released from a Las Vegas courtroom, authorities said.
Nicherie's brother, Daniel, is being held at the downtown Metropolitan Detention Center in a separate fraud case and is expected to make his first appearance Monday. He is also charged with aiding and abetting wiretapping.
Three other co-defendants — former Police Sgt. Mark Arneson, former phone company technician Rayford Earl Turner and software engineer Kevin Kachikian — posted bond and were released from custody. Arneson is accused of using confidential police databases to search for embarrassing information for Pellicano, and Turner and Kachikian are accused of helping him conduct wiretaps.
Los Angeles Times / February 8, 2006
Andrew Blankstein and Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writers
A music producer indicted in the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping case was ordered held without bail Tuesday after a federal magistrate judge ruled that he was a risk to flee the court's jurisdiction.
Robert Pfeifer was one of seven people named Monday in a sweeping 110-count indictment accusing Pellicano, a disgraced former private investigator, of heading a vast conspiracy to conduct wiretaps and dig up dirt on celebrities, reporters and entertainment executives.
The indictment is the first major blow in what is expected to be a wave of charges targeting misconduct in the entertainment and legal communities.
Pfeifer was former president of Disney-owned Hollywood Records and owns a multimedia business.
During a hearing Tuesday, prosecutors presented e-mails in which Pfeifer allegedly told a friend that he would commit suicide or flee rather than face losing his business and serving time in jail.
"I will know before I get served an indictment. And you know I am not sticking around for that," Pfeifer wrote in a Nov. 13, 2003, message to his friend Rosemary Carroll. "I would kill myself before I went to jail or trial. But first I would run."
Pfeifer's attorney, Leonard Sharenow, argued that his client, who was indicted on one count each of witness intimidation and aiding and abetting wiretapping, could face no more than two years in jail, not enough to prompt him to flee.
The e-mails were obtained by Pfeifer's estranged wife. Sharenow said that a judge hearing the couple's acrimonious child custody battle stated that she displayed an "appalling" lack of credibility.
But Magistrate Judge Stephen J. Hillman said the e-mails showed that Pfeifer was experiencing "intensely volatile emotions" and had tried to play a "cat and mouse game" with authorities, tracking when the indictment would be returned so he could leave the country, and ordered him held.
Pellicano, who just completed a 30-month federal prison term for possessing illegal explosives, pleaded not guilty to the new charges Monday and remains in custody.
Abner Nicherie, who is charged with aiding and abetting wiretapping, posted bond Tuesday and was released from a Las Vegas courtroom, authorities said.
Nicherie's brother, Daniel, is being held at the downtown Metropolitan Detention Center in a separate fraud case and is expected to make his first appearance Monday. He is also charged with aiding and abetting wiretapping.
Three other co-defendants — former Police Sgt. Mark Arneson, former phone company technician Rayford Earl Turner and software engineer Kevin Kachikian — posted bond and were released from custody. Arneson is accused of using confidential police databases to search for embarrassing information for Pellicano, and Turner and Kachikian are accused of helping him conduct wiretaps.
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Pellicano
Wiretap Record Surfaces
Los Angeles Times / February 25, 2006
Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writer
Federal officials alleged in court documents obtained Friday that they have retrieved specific evidence from the computers of former Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano showing he intercepted the telephone calls of unsuspecting victims.
The latest allegation involving onetime music executive Pfeifer goes to the heart of the far more sweeping use of illegal wiretapping methods by Pellicano that are only outlined in the grand jury's 112-count indictment.
In his affidavit, Ornellas said the summary retrieved from Pellicano's computer is only one of an unknown number recovered from his offices that summarize calls between Pfeifer's ex-girlfriend, Erin Finn, and others. And those summaries, combined with testimony of Pellicano's former employees and others, establish that Pellicano wiretapped Finn at Pfeifer's behest, the agent alleged.
The document describes in great detail a conversation between Finn and a friend in which she, among other things, alleges that Pfeifer offered her $100,000 to not give a deposition in a court case. The purported summary of her conversation also has her talking about trying to find work, alleged threats against her by Pfeifer and the hope of someday moving to Venice, Italy.
The document ends cryptically with this notation: "At the end of the call, both parties hear a 'click' and become concerned that Erin's phone might be tapped."
Ornellas could not be reached for comment.
Pellicano's attorney, Steven Gruel, said Friday he was unaware of the document.
Pfeifer's attorney, Leonard Sharenow, said he only learned of the alleged summary when it was presented in federal court by Assistant U.S. Atty. Daniel Saunders as part of a successful government motion to hold Pfeifer in custody without bail.
"This is the first time I have seen the allegation that they have recordings or summaries of Erin Finn," Sharenow said, adding that his client also had never seen the document.
The disclosure comes as authorities are pressing their investigation, and new individuals could be charged as early as next week.
Much of the attention has focused on some of the attorneys — including well-known entertainment lawyer Bert Fields — who most frequently used Pellicano as a private investigator on behalf of celebrity clients.
In recent weeks, authorities have had a number of conversations with attorneys representing Fields and others whose use of Pellicano has come under scrutiny of investigators.
But those conversations, while important, are not extraordinary given the scope of the government's inquiry, said attorney Brian Sun, representing the Century City law firm of Greenburg, Glusker, Fields, Claman, Machtinger and Kinsella, where Fields is a senior partner.
"There is nothing unusual or newsworthy about our responding to — and communicating with — the government in this case," said Sun. "It is part of the process and part of an ongoing discussion.
"And we continue to cooperate with the government because we too wish for a resolution of this matter, given the intense and sometimes misleading media coverage that has resulted from this case."
Prosecutor Saunders could not be reached for comment.
Los Angeles Times / February 25, 2006
Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writer
Federal officials alleged in court documents obtained Friday that they have retrieved specific evidence from the computers of former Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano showing he intercepted the telephone calls of unsuspecting victims.
The latest allegation involving onetime music executive Pfeifer goes to the heart of the far more sweeping use of illegal wiretapping methods by Pellicano that are only outlined in the grand jury's 112-count indictment.
In his affidavit, Ornellas said the summary retrieved from Pellicano's computer is only one of an unknown number recovered from his offices that summarize calls between Pfeifer's ex-girlfriend, Erin Finn, and others. And those summaries, combined with testimony of Pellicano's former employees and others, establish that Pellicano wiretapped Finn at Pfeifer's behest, the agent alleged.
The document describes in great detail a conversation between Finn and a friend in which she, among other things, alleges that Pfeifer offered her $100,000 to not give a deposition in a court case. The purported summary of her conversation also has her talking about trying to find work, alleged threats against her by Pfeifer and the hope of someday moving to Venice, Italy.
The document ends cryptically with this notation: "At the end of the call, both parties hear a 'click' and become concerned that Erin's phone might be tapped."
Ornellas could not be reached for comment.
Pellicano's attorney, Steven Gruel, said Friday he was unaware of the document.
Pfeifer's attorney, Leonard Sharenow, said he only learned of the alleged summary when it was presented in federal court by Assistant U.S. Atty. Daniel Saunders as part of a successful government motion to hold Pfeifer in custody without bail.
"This is the first time I have seen the allegation that they have recordings or summaries of Erin Finn," Sharenow said, adding that his client also had never seen the document.
The disclosure comes as authorities are pressing their investigation, and new individuals could be charged as early as next week.
Much of the attention has focused on some of the attorneys — including well-known entertainment lawyer Bert Fields — who most frequently used Pellicano as a private investigator on behalf of celebrity clients.
In recent weeks, authorities have had a number of conversations with attorneys representing Fields and others whose use of Pellicano has come under scrutiny of investigators.
But those conversations, while important, are not extraordinary given the scope of the government's inquiry, said attorney Brian Sun, representing the Century City law firm of Greenburg, Glusker, Fields, Claman, Machtinger and Kinsella, where Fields is a senior partner.
"There is nothing unusual or newsworthy about our responding to — and communicating with — the government in this case," said Sun. "It is part of the process and part of an ongoing discussion.
"And we continue to cooperate with the government because we too wish for a resolution of this matter, given the intense and sometimes misleading media coverage that has resulted from this case."
Prosecutor Saunders could not be reached for comment.
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