Native Angeleno

From Fishbowl LA:

When we think of wiretapping, it’s usually in the context of nefarious governments and James Bond-type antics. Is it possible our own hometown newspaper was illicitly eavesdropping on the conversations of unsuspecting citizens?

Um, no.

What the lawsuit alleges is that business columnist Michael Hiltzik recorded phone interviews with an on-the-record source, attorney Robert Silverman. It should be noted that it’s standard practice for journalists to record interviews, since most of us can’t type that fast.

From LA Observed: 

Times employees were filled in this afternoon in an all-staff email from president and chief operating officer Kathy Thomson.

Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2011 4:11 PMTo: AllLosAngelesTimesEmployeesSubject: Billboards

Colleagues –

Some of you may have noticed over the last week that billboards have sprung up along freeways around Los Angeles accusing The Times of wiretapping and fraud. As you know, ethics and integrity are core values that we uphold every day. We do not engage in wiretapping and fraud as the billboards allege. They appear to be placed by an attorney who recently filed a lawsuit against one of our columnists who has written about 1-800-Get-Thin, its principals and their Lap-Band surgery centers. Notably, the lawsuit does not allege either wiretapping or fraud, as suggested by the billboards. Related lawsuits previously filed against The Times and its employees have been thrown out of court. We are confident that this latest, equally meritless lawsuit will also be thrown out.

If you receive any inquiries, please direct them to Karlene Goller and Nancy Sullivan.

Kathy

So LA Times, while we’ve got you on the line taking time out from your busy day to scoff at preposterous wire tapping charges, would you mind clearing up finally, what exactly was the LA Times’ relationship with Anthony Pellicano?  And how does that fit into your vigorous defense of civil liberties?  

Silly us, all these years later and we still can’t help but wonder...