Controversial detective to the stars Anthony Pellicano was convicted Thursday in Los Angeles court on federal racketeering charges for resorting to wiretapping and bribery in order to uncover unsavory information that would aid his wealthy clients in lawsuits, divorces, business disputes and criminal charges.

The 64-year-old may well spend the rest of his life behind bars. His trial on racketeering and wiretapping charges began some two months ago. Pellicano has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He was convicted Thursday on all but one of the 77 charges. His four co-defendants, including a former LA police officer, a telephone company official and a computer expert, were also convicted on most of the charges brought against them.

Along with Pellicano, they were accused of wiretapping and illegally accessing the information of more than 100 people. The four also pleaded not guilty.

The jury found Pellicano guilty of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, wiretapping, wire fraud, identity theft, conspiracy to intercept or use wire communications and manufacture or possession of a wiretapping device, reports the Associated Press.

The one charge he was acquitted of was unauthorized computer access.

Pellicano was once appreciated as a must-hire private investigator in Hollywood, known for his expertise in solving difficult cases and helping his clients in their civil lawsuits and even criminal charges. What made Pellicano extra-special though, and was eventually exposed by federal investigators, was his willingness to dig for dirt in the lives of his clients’ opponents.

Wiretapping, bribery, threats were frequently used by Pellicano in his work.

The private detective represented himself during the trial.

The big names that were called to testify mainly denied having ever known of Pellicano’s illicit ways. Paramount studio chief Brad Grey, entertainment attorney Bert Fields and former Walt Disney Co president Michael Ovitz testified they had either hired Pellicano or had been the object of his investigations.

Comedians Garry Shandling and Chris Rock also denied having had knowledge of Pellicano’s methods.

Pellicano has seen the inside of a prison cell before. He was sentenced to jail time in 2003 after pleading guilty to possession of illegal weapons; he was released from prison in 2006 and then indicted on the wiretapping charges.

U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer ordered Pellicano to remain in custody until the date set for sentencing, Sept. 24.