Hollywood Private Eye Case Goes To Jury

(AP)  Jurors have started deliberations in the federal racketeering case against Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano and four co-defendants.

Deliberations began after defense lawyers wrapped up their closing arguments and prosecutors delivered rebuttal statements.

Pellicano, the celebrity investigator who is acting as his own attorney, insisted in his closing arguments he acted as a "lone ranger" while gathering information for his clients.

He denies he led a criminal enterprise, as prosecutors allege.

The 64-year-old Pellicano has pleaded not guilty to spearheading a scheme that used wiretaps and ran names through law enforcement databases to dig up dirt on Hollywood's rich and famous and supply it to their rivals.

The four co-defendants pleaded not guilty to a variety of federal charges.

By Greg Risling