Die Hard producer John McTiernan sentenced to federal prison 
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

Anthony Pellicano, the accused wiretapper

John McTiernan (above left), the director of "Die Hard," was sentenced yesterday to four months in prison by a federal judge for lying to an F.B.I. agent.  It's just like a Hollywood action movie, except without the hot male lead.  McTiernan, 56, was asked by a Fed in February of 2006 whether or not he hired private investigator Anthony Pellicano - who is awaiting trial for a wiretapping conspiracy on behalf of celebs and studio execs.  Prosecutors in McTiernan's case said he paid Pellicano $50,000 to wiretap Charles Rowen, the producer of "Rollerball," a flick that tanked at the box office.  McTiernan denied it, but two months later pleaded guilty to a false-statement charge.  And then withdrew that plea.

Dale S. Fischer, the federal district judge that sentenced McTiernan yesterday, was having none of that.  She (yes, Dale is a "she") was ticked at McTiernan for considering himself "above the law."

"If anything, Mr. McTiernan's priveleged background is an aggravating factor," she said, and tacked a $100,000 fine on top of the four month prison sentence.  He was also required to surrender his passport.  McTiernan has until January 15th to turn himself in; his attorney said they will be filing an appeal.

Assistant U.S. attorney Daniel Saunders expressed his belief that McTiernan has hired Pellicano to wiretap others, and most likely had the surveillance done on his ex-wife, Donna Dubrow, during their divorce in 1997.

A real-life wiretapping conspiracy.  Are these guys friends with Bush?