John McTiernan, director of Predator and Die Hard, got one year in the slammer yesterday for lying to an FBI agent and a judge. McTiernan admitted to hiring private investigator Anthony Pellicano in 2006 to wiretap a producer he had worked with, but later lied about his association with Pellicano when Pellicano was being investigated by the FBI, PopEater reports. McTiernan is currently free on bond pending an appeal.
McTiernan's lawyer pointed out that the charges against his client have damaged his reputation in Hollywood to the point that his bank account is down to $103,000, but the judge was not sympathetic: When sentencing him, she noted that going to jail will make it hard for McTiernan to enjoy "aged cheeses, cured meats, or red wine." For more on the case, and more of the judge's barbs, click here.
(More John McTiernan stories.)