Los Angeles  - Former private eye Anthony Pellicano, who counted Hollywood stars among his clients and victims, was sentenced Monday to 15 years in jail for 78 counts of wiretapping, computer fraud and wire fraud.

The sentence imposed by US District Court Judge Dale Fischer was much longer than the 70-month punishment recommended by the Probation Department. But prosecutors said the sleuth was charged with, and convicted of, only a fraction of the crimes he actually committed.

The sentence came at the end of a six-year saga that began when a journalist investigating former talent agent Michael Ovitz found a rose, a dead fish and a note saying "Stop" inside the smashed window of her car.

Los Angeles  - Though the NBA season is less than seven weeks old, it appears to be open season on head coaches after a sixth one was was given the ax.

The struggling Sacramento Kings fired Reggie Theus on Monday after a 6-18 start, naming assistant Kenny Natt as his interim replacement.

"Another coaching change is not a pleasant situation for anybody, certainly not for myself and not for the players," said Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie.

Los Angeles  - The world's largest toymaker, Mattel, has agreed to pay 12 million dollars to settle lawsuits that it sold toys containing lead paint, the company said Monday.

As part of the accord with 39 US states, Mattel agreed to implement new guidelines reducing the maximum lead content in paint from 600 parts per million to 90 parts per million.

Los Angeles  - Nearly seven weeks into the season, the San Antonio Spurs have finally hit their stride, though they nearly stumbled at the finish line.

Tony Parker scored six of his 22 points in the last two minutes of Sunday night's game as the Spurs held off a late charge to slip past the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-104 for their sixth-straight victory.

"We know NBA teams are going to make a run, and they did in the second half," Parker said. "At the end, it was really ugly, but we got the win."

Tim Duncan had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Matt Bonner scored 17 and Roger Mason fired in 14 with four three-pointers for San Antonio (15-8), which moved atop the South-West Division after a dismal 1-4 start.

Los Angeles, Dec 14 : A polygraph examination conducted on Indian-born fashion designer Anand Jon indicates that he is innocent.

The documents provided by the polygrapher, JoMac & Associates, show that the questions asked were regarding the most serious charge of rape.

And the documents also show scientifically that Jon is telling the truth that he did not rape that woman.

Jon's answers are not consistent to what complaining witness Jessie Bloor said under oath.

Los Angeles  - The Philadelphia 76ers fired coach Maurice Cheeks on Saturday, one day after the team continued its slide with a season-worst offensive effort.

Expected by many to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers have opened 9-14 with eight losses in their last 10 games, including Friday's dispirited 88-72 setback at Cleveland.