'Die Hard' Director Faces Charges

Director John McTiernan was charged with making a false statement to the FBI about his knowledge of wiretapping by indicted Hollywood private detective Anthony Pellicano, authorities said.

McTiernan, 55, lied to federal investigators last month when he told them he had no knowledge of the wiretapping and had never discussed it with the private eye, according to a charging document provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Investigators contend McTiernan, 55, hired Pellicano to tap phone calls involving a man identified in the documents as Charles Roven, a Hollywood producer who worked with him on "Rollerball."

McTiernan, who also directed "The Thomas Crown Affair," "The Hunt for Red October" and "Last Action Hero," could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted. A message left with his attorney, John Carlton, was not immediately returned.

Pellicano, who has worked for some of the biggest names in Hollywood, has been charged in a wiretapping scandal that has rattled entertainment and legal circles.

CBS News correspondent Jerry Bowen reports that over the years, Pellicano helped make disappear drug charges against automaker John DeLorean, early child molestation claims against Michael Jackson and racism charges against O.J. Simpson cop Mark Fuhrman.

Prosecutors allege Pellicano wiretapped Hollywood stars he was hired to investigate, including Sylvester Stallone, and used the information for threats, blackmail and in some cases to help clients gain advantages in legal disputes.

The private detective is also accused of paying authorities to run the names of more than 60 people, including comedians Garry Shandling and Kevin Nealon, through government databases.

"This is not, we don't think, how most private investigators do their job," acting U.S. attorney George Cardona told Bowen.

Pellicano has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

McTiernan is the 14th person charged in the ongoing case. Four others have pleaded guilty to a variety of charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy.

Several Hollywood heavyweights, including former super-agent Michael Ovitz and Paramount chief Brad Grey, have been called in to talk. With more charges expected, it's nervous time in a town that's waiting for the other Ferragamo to drop.