Today in Pellicano: Brad Grey takes the stand * updated

Paramount Pictures head Brad Grey surprised the courtroom and took the stand in the Anthony Pellicano trial this morning, where he testified for more than 30 minutes.

Greg Krikorian reports from the trial:

Paramount Pictures Chairman Brad Grey told a federal jury this morning that he had no knowledge of any illegal activity conducted on his behalf by Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano, who worked for Grey’s former company on two high-profile lawsuits.

In his long-awaited testimony in the wiretapping and racketeering trial of Pellicano, Grey said that the decision to hire Pellicano was made by the law firm hired by Grey’s former entertainment management company and the law firm’s well-known litigator Bert Fields. The law firm and Fields, Grey said, were hired to defend against lawsuits filed by comedian Garry Shandling and actor and producer Bo Zenga.

In both case, Grey said, Pellicano was paid $25,000 for his investigative services.

Here's Nikki Finke's take-no-prisoners view of the Shandling part of the trial.

Full story from Greg Krikorian.

-- Veronique de Turenne