(April 7, 2008)
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*Chris Rock said he had no idea that private investigator Anthony Pellicano was involved in alleged dirty tricks while investigating a woman's claim that Rock had fathered her child.
The actor and co-creator of "
Everybody Hates Chris" made the statement while testifying in the trial of Hollywood's so-called private eye to the stars, who is charged with bribery and wiretapping on behalf of dozens of Hollywood celebrities and movie executives.
According to Reuters, the comedic actor appeared nervous during his 20 minutes on the witness stand. Rock, 43, told the federal court jury in Los Angeles that he hired Pellicano in 1999 to probe the background of model Monika Zsibrita because he felt he was being shaken down when Zsibrita accused him of fathering her child after a one night stand at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
"Someone who is not pregnant with my child claims to be pregnant with my child and requested large sums of money," Rock said, according to Reuters.
Prosecutors allege that Pellicano paid a Los Angeles police officer to run unauthorized background checks on Zsibrita. Tests showed later that Rock was not the father but the actor said he again hired Pellicano in 2001 after Zsibrita accused him of raping her during their hotel tryst.
Rock, who is not charged with any crime, denied knowing Pellicano was involved in illegal activities. He testified that Pellicano read him police reports reflecting that Zsibrita claimed she had been assaulted. He said Pellicano told him: "I'm going to read it to you but I'm not supposed to have it."
The comedian is among about 100 witnesses, including actors Sylvester Stallone, Farrah Fawcett and Paramount Pictures CEO Brad Grey, called to testify for the prosecution. Pellicano, 63, could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
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