Maybe it's because we're not private investigators, investigatory journalists, had to take Newswriting 201 twice, and don't qualify as any Nancy Drew Hardy Boy team, but we're having a little trouble connecting this whole Anthony Pellicano/New York Times/FBI+DOJ investigation wiretap leak. So won't you walk through it with us?
• First, there is the Ron Burkle-Alison Hope Weiner connection. It was just a couple of weeks ago she helped spearhead (along with Campbell Robertson, et al.) the Times' investigation into Jared Paul Stern's Paid $ix scandal. Did Burkle leak her that info? [NYT]
• And Weiner, along with David Halbfinger, did a majority of the reporting on the "secret" e-mails between Jared Paul Stern and Burkle. (Another Burkle leak?) [NYT]
• Meanwhile, Michael Sitrick represents both Ron Burkle and ex-Disney chief Mike Ovitz (who are both involved in the same Anthony Pellicano wiretapping case). [LA Observerd, LA Weekly]
• Adding to the mix, Pellicano was hired by Hollywood hot shot divorce attorney Dennis Wasser (whose clients include Tom Cruise), who is now repping Burkle in the supermarket magnate's dirvorce. [Gawker]
• The NYT last week reported Pellicano tried to shake down Burkle in 2002 for $100k-$250k. If Burkle didn't pay up, Pellicano threatened to carry out Ovitz's investigation into Burkle — which, conflict of interest to the core, Pellicano was behind.
• Meanwhile, Burkle hired Pellicano to investigate Ovitz, at least according to Ovitz. That side plot was reported, of course, by none other than the NYT's David Halbfinger and Allison Hope Weiner. [NYT]
Don't know about you, but we could really use a drink .. not to mention some sunglasses and a trenchcoat. We're not claiming anything just yet, but it sounds a little convenient that the Times' Weiner had access to Burkle's stealth dealings … nearly all of which somehow land Burkle out on top.
John Hanusz of the Daily Journal just leaked some information on the leaked information involved in the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping case. And, not shockingly, but still big news, our trusty Grey Lady has sparked yet another FBI manhunt.
The Justice Department and the FBI are planning to launch a full federal investigation into the confidential memo leaks to New York Times' reporters David Halbfinger and Alison Hope Weiner .
Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping case are pointing fingers at each other after confidential FBI memos turned up in news reports. Sources close to the case said the Justice Department and the FBI will soon launch investigations into who leaked memos of interviews with supermarket magnate Ronald W. Burkle, Paramount Pictures head Brad Grey and former Disney president Michael S. Ovitz. Those agencies, however, would not comment.
Isn't it refreshing to here Burkle's name in the context of a totally different scandal? The rest of the article, via Fishbowl LA is after the jump. Or, if you have a fancy Daily Journal subscription, click here.
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