McTiernan guilty plea a milestone in Pellicano saga

By Allison Hope-Weiner

It appears that the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping scandal finally has come to an end.

John McTiernan, the director of such movies as "Die Hard" and "Predator," pleaded guilty Monday to lying to an FBI agent about hiring private investigator Anthony Pellicano. McTiernan was the biggest Hollywood figure indicted in connection with the Pellicano wiretapping and conspiracy case. Pellicano was convicted of masterminding a long-running wiretapping conspiracy on behalf of his famous Hollywood clients and is serving a 15-year prison term.

McTiernan entered a guilty plea in federal court to two counts of making false statements to the FBI as well as one count of perjury for lying to a federal judge while attempting to withdraw a previous guilty plea. 

This isn't the first time the director has taken responsibility for lying to the feds about wiretapping of producer Chuck Roven during the making of "Rollerball." 

McTiernan pleaded guilty in spring 2006 to making false statements but a few months later unsuccessfully sought to withdraw his plea. Prosecutors filed a new indictment in April 2009 in which they charged McTiernan with making false statements and perjury. After the first guilty plea, McTiernan was sentenced to four months in prison. This time, he could get up to a year in prison.

He will be sentenced Oct. 4.