Kirk Kerkorian’s ex called to trial
The ex-wife of MGM Mirage mogul Kirk Kerkorian, along with former Hard Rock Hotel owner Peter Morton, are among more than 100 people subpoenaed in the wiretapping trial of Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano.
Lisa Bonder Kerkorian was allegedly among those wiretapped. Prominent entertainment attorney Terry Christensen has been indicted for allegedly paying Pellicano $100,000 to wiretap Kerkorian's wife at the time.
Christensen will be tried separately at the conclusion of the Pellicano trial.
Bonder Kerkorian and Morton were among the names released by the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney's Office as witnesses the government intends to call in its case against Pellicano and his co-defendants.
Pellicano was indicted on federal wiretapping charges in 2006, following a massive investigation that rocked Hollywood.
Christensen, described in court documents as a confidante of Kirk Kerkorian, formerly served as president of Tracinda Corporation, the entertainment/resort mogul's holding company.
According to court documents, Christensen, in an April 27, 2002, conversation with Pellicano, allegedly "asked defendant Pellicano what Bonder Kerkorian was discussing with her attorneys." In a May 10, 2002, conversation, Pellicano told Christensen that Bonder Kerkorian was elated after a telephone call with court mediator Debra Simon. Christensen, the indictment alleges, replied that he "would pass the information on to his client." Two weeks earlier, on April 28, Pellicano told Christensen that he was "hearing both sides" of the case, noting that, "I'm hearing her talk to Kirk (Kerkorian) too," the indictment charges.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Four new members of the Paris-based Crazy Horse revue were announced at Tabu Ultralounge (MGM Grand) late Thursday. Judging took place at the Crazy Horse Las Vegas theater at the MGM Grand. The winners were: Elena Lee Rodriguez from Barcelona, Spain; Krystle Richeson from Virginia Beach, Va.; Polina Volchek from Moscow; and Kara McKinney from Roanoke, Va. ...
Two companies have filed liens against The Venetian and the newly opened 40/40 Club owned by music mogul Jay-Z, according to the Clark County Recorder's office. One of the liens seeks more than $170,000, and the other, by Nevada Ready Mix, asks for about $5,100. The largest lien was placed by Robert Brummet of Southland Industries for work done by Madison Grace Construction Services. Both were filed last month. The 40/40 Club opened New Year's Eve in the new Palazzo, the sister property to The Venetian. ...
Sunday's NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway drew the highest ratings in the track's history. The 7.1 final national rating topped the 7.0 in 2002. The speedway, which opened in 1998, announced it was also the fifth most-watched non-Daytona race in NASCAR history. ...
Oscar winner Jodie Foster will be attending ShoWest next week in support of her co-star Abigail Breslin, who will be receiving the Star of Tomorrow award for her role in "Nim's Island." ...
Criss Angel, cleanshaven after months of sporting a beard, performed a double straitjacket stunt 75 feet above Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter on Wednesday night. He was filming two episodes for his "Mindfreak" show, which begins airing June 4. ...
KTNV-Channel 13 anchor Tricia Kean is getting hitched Saturday to local businessman Rick Hergott at Anthem Country Club in Henderson. They were engaged in August.
MAY I RECOMMEND...
AGO, the new Italian trattoria at the Hard Rock Hotel, features Tuscan-style fare, including lamb chops with rosemary potatoes, mushroom risotto and pasta dishes. Owner-chef Agostino Sciandri's celebrity partners include Robert De Niro, who attended Monday's grand opening. Open daily at 6 p.m. Call 693-4440.
SIGHTINGS
BMX stars Daniel Dhers and Chad Kagy, stopping in Playboy Club (Palms) on Wednesday night. ... Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler, having dinner at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars) with her musical director, Bette Sussman, and actress Khandi Alexander of "CSI: Miami."
THE PUNCH LINE
"Everyone's trying to figure out what happened at the primaries. Here it is: Barack Obama had the most delegates; Hillary Clinton had the most superdelegates; and John McCain had the most problem going to the bathroom." -- Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
