Feds Raid Home of Photo Agency Head
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TMZ has learned that the FBI searched the home Tuesday of a woman who runs an LA paparazzi agency.
The allegation is that her computers were used to illegally hack into the computers of Us Weekly magazine to obtain information about celebrities, in particular Charlie Sheen.
Sources tell TMZ the U.S. Attorney obtained the search warrant several days ago. Law enforcement went to the home of Jill Ishkanian, a partner at Sunset Photo and News, where they seized computers and other items. As of now, the official file is sealed.
Ishkanian founded Sunset Photo and News last year after leaving Us Weekly, where she worked as a reporter.
TMZ repeatedly called Sunset Photo and News for comment, but each time company reps immediately hung up the phone.
In a related development, TMZ spoke with former Hollywood madame Heidi Fleiss, who says she was contacted by officials and accused of being involved in the alleged hacking plot. The reason? Sources say Fleiss and Ishkanian are close friends. Fleiss told TMZ the allegations against her are "ridiculous."
UPDATE 7:15PM ET: Ishkanian's lawyer, Glenn Feldman, contacted TMZ and says his client has been subpoenaed by Britney Spears' lawyers in her suit against Us Weekly. Spears claims that an article in Us Weekly alleging she made a sex tape with husband Kevin Federline was bogus. Feldman says he finds it "coincidental" that his client is suddenly being targeted. Feldman adds that Ishkanian "did not receive any information from Us Weekly by hacking into any computer, especially information about Charlie Sheen."