Articles by Chuck Philips

After six years of legal sniping, actor Steven Seagal and his former business partner, Julius R.

‘Suge’ Knight’s former lawyer says evidence shows a singer falsely claimed ownership in Death Row Records.

The Los Angeles district attorney’s office on Friday opposed a habeas corpus petition seeking the release of a one-time R&B star who contends he was wrongly convicted of a 1993 arson murder.

Jody `Babydol’ Gibson in her book suggests victim Lana Clarkson had worked for her under the name `Alana.’

They seek to show that a tape of an FBI agent, not threat against a reporter, first prompted probe.

Defense attorneys in the Pellicano case say the federal government could be involved in the release of evidence to N.Y. Times reporters.

The list of alleged clients includes Tom Lasorda and Bruce Willis, among other celebrities. They deny using her services.

As defense attorneys accused the government of ethical breaches in the Anthony Pellicano wiretapping investigation, the lead prosecutor on Monday was lecturing defense lawyers at a posh legal retreat in Aspen, Colo., co-sponsored by the jailed sleuth’s former attorney.

A co-defendant accuses federal authorities of giving two reporters secret information.

A singer behind bars since 1994 says he can now prove innocence.

They aim to show Stanley Ornellas concealed evidence, then lied about it in an effort to search the PI’s office.

Joseph Isgro nails the rights to mobster Luciano’s gritty life story.

Use of his name in an investigation has hurt his career, actor says.

John Rottger faults the agency for suggesting in a widely publicized affidavit that he resembled an armed suspect in a threat case.

Waymond Anderson could leave prison if prosecutors don’t refute data that provide alibi.

An ex-associate alleges that the hip-hop mogul failed to pay him for a slain rapper’s recordings.

Anthony Pellicano is returning to L.A. from prison to face new charges of conspiring to use illegal wiretaps, sources say.

Two top attorneys with a Century City law firm at the center of a federal racketeering investigation into alleged wrongdoing by Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano will soon leave to establish a new practice.

Music entrepreneur Marion “Suge” Knight and Death Row Records, which shaped the rise of gansta rap music, sought federal bankruptcy protection Tuesday as a shield against a legal judgment.

The private eye allegedly checked police files on a model who filed a paternity claim.

Tape-recorded call seeks repayment of a loan made by studio executive Ron Meyer.

The inmate’s lawyer says it was officials who risked his life by moving him to another prison.

From jail, the private eye to the stars calls the wiretapping case `bogus’ and defends his contacts.

L.A. facility says the New York Times writer misrepresented herself. The paper denies it.

The private eye, accused of racketeering and wiretapping, refuses to join prosecutors and five co-defendants in waiting until next September.

Irv ‘Gotti’ Lorenzo and Chris Lorenzo will be charged with laundering drug money through their label, sources say.

Irv ‘Gotti’ Lorenzo is accused of using his Murder Inc. to help hide drug money.

Bought last year by Edgar Bronfman Jr., the firm has reduced jobs and wages and slashed outlays for new talent in advance of an IPO. But, some ask, at what cost?

The bootlegging of ‘Spider-Man 2’ began with a ‘cammer’ in a New York theater. Within hours, DVDs were on sale in Asia.

The admission comes as trial is set to begin in suit filed by family of slain rap star against the city.

Bureau discards theory being pursued by its lead agent regarding slaying of Notorious B.I.G.

Rap mogul’s former aide and a second guilty man are also investigated in a 2002 Compton slaying.

Investigators say there’s a hit out on Death Row founder Knight. The rap music mogul dismisses the notion.

‘Suge’ Knight, wounded at a party, is expected to recover. And the MTV awards show goes on.

A federal jurist orders the city to pay $1.1 million to the family of Notorious B.I.G. for withholding evidence on suspects.

Biggie Smalls’ relatives are undeterred even after LAPD cast doubt on rogue-cop theory.

If new evidence is found in Biggie Smalls’ death, it could help police fight his mother’s lawsuit.

Ex-officer says lawyers for the rap star’s family offered inducements if he would help their case. The attorneys deny it.

The move by relatives of Notorious B.I.G. leaves the city of Los Angeles as sole defendant in case.

A paid informant who figured prominently in police and FBI investigations into the killing of rap star Notorious B.I.G., and who accused rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight and a rogue police officer of orchestrating the murder, has admitted that his information was “all hearsay.”

The move by relatives of Notorious B.I.G. leaves the city of Los Angeles as sole defendant in case.

Programs for drying out in swank settings are typically ineffective and sometimes illegal. One Beverly Hills doctor defends his high-priced service.

Detectives said Monday that they were pressing hard to establish whether the drive-by killing of rapper Notorious B.I.G. was part of a deadly grudge between rival groups in rap music.

Ex-officer says lawyers for the rap star’s family offered inducements if he would help their case. The attorneys deny it.

Six years ago today, rap and film star Tupac Shakur was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting on a crowded street a block from the Las Vegas Strip.

How a fight between rival Compton gangs turns into a plot of retaliation and murder.

Law enforcement officials said they shut down a counterfeiting operation that record industry officials said could produce more than $50 million in CDs a year.

Rap producer denies involvement in an attack on former partner at the Vibe music awards show that left the assailant seriously injured.

Broadening an investigation into criminal activity at music label The Inc., federal officials Wednesday arrested the manager of rap star Ja Rule for money laundering.

The radio giant bans independent promotion of songs in response to a probe by Atty. Gen. Eliot Spitzer, sources say.

The radio giant bans independent promotion of songs in response to a probe by Atty. Gen. Eliot Spitzer, sources say.

Mother of Notorious B.I.G. drops key figure in case after a reported confidential settlement.

New York Atty. Gen.

Def Jam Records had focused on Shyne’s prison term to build his credibility. But people haven’t bought into it.

One month after leaving Universal Music Group, industry veteran Kevin Liles is expected to be named executive vice president for the competition -- Warner Music Group, sources said.

A San Fernando man’s sentence is one of the steepest penalties so far in a crackdown on DVD counterfeiting.

Approval of the international deal by U.S. regulators could come as early as today.

Death Row, owned by Marion ‘Suge’ Knight, is ordered to pay the plaintiff $162,000 in Reseda attack case.

The rapper is accused of lying to a grand jury about a shooting in 2001 outside of a New York radio station.

The state medical board is investigating a complaint that Dr. David A.

The agency pursues a 6-year-old theory that a rogue LAPD officer arranged the murder of Notorious B.I.G. with rap mogul Suge Knight.

County officials did not include a psychologist’s belief that the pop star had abused a boy, 12.

A producer of gay porn who has worked with Michael Jackson is being investigated.

Arrest warrant is issued for a Compton gang member authorities say fired shots last fall that killed Yetunde Price, half sister of tennis stars.

CBS and representatives for Michael Jackson denied Wednesday that the network paid the pop star a special fee in exchange for the interview he granted to “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley.

The hit show’s star says he was ‘wiped out’ on drugs ordered by a physician investigated for overprescribing for others.

State board accuses him of running an illegal program for celebrity clients and prescribing addictive drugs. His license may be at stake.

Private investigator refuses to cooperate in FBI probe of alleged illegal wiretapping.

Grand jury investigating illegal eavesdropping in Hollywood also examines at least one case handled by noted attorney Ed Masry.

The jurist reverses a state board on the late movie producer Don Simpson’s psychiatrist, paving the way for her to practice medicine again.

More than 250 officers swept through Compton and nearby areas in a series of raids, arresting 15 alleged gang members accused of operating the most lucrative PCP ring in Southern California, authorities announced Thursday.

Authorities have arrested a second Compton gang member they suspect might be tied to the shooting of the half-sister of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

Death Row employee faces attempted murder charges. His family says it’s a setup.

The shooting in Queens, N.Y., is the latest blow for the beleaguered record label.

Tyran Moore, believed to have Murder Inc. ties, no longer is suspected in the N.Y. incident. But he faces a weapons charge.

Tyran Moore, a suspect in the shooting of a NYPD captain, is arrested after a standoff.