Pelican won't squawk

That Anthony Pellicano is no dummy. On the eve of going to federal prison for 33 months, he gives an interview to Chuck Philips in the L.A. Times that seems aimed at assuring certain Hollywood figures that his many secrets are safe. The P.I. to the stars (or their lawyers) tells Philips:

"My clients and the lawyers who hired me are completely innocent," Pellicano said in a telephone interview Sunday night — his first public comment on the investigation since its scope became known. Pellicano's attorney, Donald Re, took part in the interview.

"They did nothing wrong," Pellicano said, referring to his clients and employers. "The government should leave them alone. And me, I'm going to take this punishment like a man. I will not participate in any way, shape or form with this investigation."

Background on the Pellicano situation here and here, with the Bernie Weinraub-Luke Ford link here.