Ivory's Ghosts: White Gold and the Fate of the Elephant

Georgianne Nienaber, 04.30.2009

Investigative journalist, searcher, and author

Ivory's Ghosts: The White Gold of History and the Fate of the Elephants is a meticulous examination of the allure of ivory that reads like a novel and is impossible to put down.

Do Liberals "Get It" When it Comes to Fighting Fundamentalism?

Evan Derkacz, 10.26.2008

Do the liberal values of dialogue and compromise actually have any effect when dealing with this powerful network?

Finding the Toilet in Stockholm

John Sauer, 09.27.2008

Last week a mix of water and sanitation experts gathered for World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden to mull over the world's biggest public health crisis. The problem is that not enough people paid attention.

Pellicano Trial: My Final Thoughts On The Guilty Verdict

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.25.2008

The actual bottom line is that even with a few embarrassing and inconvenient moments, the rich and powerful citizens of Los Angeles (and a few other places) didn't have to go to jail.

Pellicano Trial: Jury Deliberations Go On

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.23.2008

Just in case you're wondering, there is still no verdict in the Pellicano trial. That's right. They're still deliberating and in case you've forgotten, they started way back on May 1st.

Pellicano Trial: Confusing Jury Deliberations

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.14.2008

The latest update from the Pellicano jury room is that the jury deliberations are proving to be as confusing as the actual case.

Pellicano Trial: The Jury Has The Case

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.09.2008

The prosecutors and the defense attorneys have shaken hands and I'm sitting in the hallway wondering about how so many people who broke the law walked away from this mess without so much as a scratch.

Pellicano Trial: Final Defense Closing Arguments

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.09.2008

Ms. Soo Hoo effectively pointed out that along with Ms. Wright, all of the witnesses against Mr. Turner were government collaborators who had great motive to say whatever the government told them to say.

Pellicano Closing Arguments: Final Thoughts

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.08.2008

Frankly, the best part of Mr. Hummel's close came when he finally allowed himself to get emotional about the facts leading up to former Sgt. Arneson's arrest.

Pellicano Delivers Own (Hysterical) Closing Arguments

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.08.2008

And then, there were his final comments to the jury--probably the most entertaining final close that I've ever heard. "Mr. Pellicano refuses to insult your intelligence," he said of himself.

Pellicano Trial: The Closing Arguments

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.08.2008

Bottom line is that only three people involved in the entertainment industry were charged in this case--despite the fact that almost all of Mr. Pellicano's clients were related to the entertainment business.

Pellicano Trial: Closing Arguments Begin

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.07.2008

Daniel Saunders has begun his closing argument, starting with his statement that Pellicano's agency was "nothing more than a criminal organization operated by a well connected, well paid thug."

Pellicano Trial Exclusive: Excerpts From FBI Investigation

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.06.2008

After a six year investigation, the F.B.I. spent the weekend scrambling to prevent a mistrial. I have exclusively reviewed the evidence they gathered.

Pellicano Trial: Mistrial Denied

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.06.2008

At this time, the judge had denied without prejudice Mr. Hummel's motion on Mr. Arneson's behalf for a mistrial.

Pellicano Trial: A Possible Mistrial As Jury Sent Home

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.03.2008

So, on Monday, the court noted that the witness will return and she will consider whether to declare a mistrial.

Pellicano Trial: Computer Expert Kevin Kachikian Cross-Examined

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.02.2008

Mr. Saunders didn't anticipate that Mr. Kachikian, a seemingly nerdy and anti-social man, with his Birkenstocks, bald head and 1980s attire, would be such an effective witness.

Pellicano Trial: A Computer Expert and a Government Witness Bashed

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.02.2008

Braun also went after the government's witness, Tarita Virute. As you probably don't recall at this point, Ms. Virtue was a one-woman Pellicano-bashing machine when she took the stand for the government.

Pellicano Trial: Anthony Won't Testify In His Own Defense

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.01.2008

The day ended with some of the biggest news of the trial, Anthony Pellicano will not testify in his own defense.

Pellicano Trial: Telesleuth In Depth

Allison Hope Weiner, 05.01.2008

If the judge wasn't resting her cheek on her hand all the time, I'm sure her head would come crashing down on the bench.

Pellicano Trial: Greenberg, Glusker and Brad Grey's Work

Allison Hope Weiner, 04.30.2008

After Mr. Cestero got to Greenberg Glusker he recalled that Fields, who represented Brad Grey in the Bo Zenga litigation, hired Pellicano.

Pellicano Trial: Michael Ovitz Fingered Over Threats To Anita Busch

Allison Hope Weiner, 04.26.2008

"Did Mr. Ovitz pay Mr. Pellicano money?" asked Mr. Lally, clearly certain of Mr. Ornellas' answer. "Yes. He paid via check through a law firm and also via cash," replied Agent Ornellas.