LOS ANGELES
Defense attorneys in a Hollywood wiretapping case scolded federal prosecutors on Monday for not turning over evidence.
"It's their obligation to provide us what we need to exonerate our clients," said Terree Bowers, a defense attorney who said the process has been "like pulling teeth."
Attorneys pointed out that the 112-count indictment against private investigator Anthony Pellicano was unsealed in February after an investigation that lasted more than three years.
Prosecutors alleged that Pellicano tapped the phones of Hollywood stars such as Sylvester Stallone; and paid two police officers to run names, including comedians Garry Shandling and Kevin Nealon, through a government database.
A total of 14 people have been charged, including Pellicano. Six have pleaded guilty to a variety of charges, including conspiracy and wiretapping.
Pellicano's trial is scheduled for Oct. 24.
More than 23,000 pages of documents have been provided by federal prosecutors, but defense attorneys argue the process has moved too slowly and they have yet to receive all of the evidence.
Prosecutors turned over some evidence to defense attorneys before Monday's hearing. Defense attorney Chad Hummel said he plans to file a motion that would ask U.S. District Court Judge Dale Fischer to throw out any evidence offered by prosecutors in the future.
Fischer ordered that a special master should be appointed to review the evidence and determine what defense attorneys should be allowed to see.
Prosecutors said part of the delay has come from difficulty decrypting about 1,300 audio files made by Pellicano of his telephone conversations with clients and others. More than 350 audio files have been given to defense attorneys, but others haven't because the material isn't relevant to the case or doesn't rise to the level of filing criminal charges, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Saunders.
If defense attorneys "are so eager to get the tapes decrypted, the one man who has the password is sitting right over there," said Saunders, referring to Pellicano.
Saunders added a "select few" files deal with an ongoing investigation, but he didn't elaborate. Prosecutors have promised more charges are forthcoming.
Meanwhile, Fischer ordered prosecutors to hand over the remaining confidential FBI documents to defense attorneys. Some of the summaries, which cited interviews with top Hollywood power brokers, were leaked to the media and prompted an investigation into who may have released the information.
Defense attorneys maintained in court Monday that they were not responsible for the leaks.
Published: Monday, June 12, 2006 15:24 PDT