Pellicano ordered to forfeit $2 million

Convicted private eye Anthony Pellicano and two co-defendants should forfeit more than $2 million in proceeds from Pellicano’s wiretapping and racketeering business that catered to Hollywood’s elite, a federal judge said Wednesday.

Former police sergeant Mark Arneson and phone company insider Ray Turner will have to shoulder the sum along with Pellicano, who in two criminal trials this year was convicted of 78 counts. Prosecutors alleged that the two provided Pellicano with information he needed to wiretap and intimidate his clients’ foes. The forfeiture was ordered under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

The tentative order by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer will be finalized the day of sentencing.

Prosecutors said in a hearing Wednesday that the $2,008,250 they asked for in forfeiture “grossly undersells� what Pellicano’s investigations business actually raked in by illegal means.

Defense attorneys argued that sum may include legitimate earnings and said prosecutors hadn’t proved the money was all ill-gotten.

Michael Artan, Pellicano’s attorney, said after the hearing that his client is “indigent� and has no assets the government can go after. Pellicano is expected to be sentenced Monday.

-- Victoria Kim