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Federal investigators are attempting to learn who leaked confidential FBI documents in the probe of former celebrity private eye Anthony Pellicano, accused of wiretapping celebrities and others to gain dirt on Hollywood's movers and shakers, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. attorney's office in San Diego because prosecutors and FBI agents themselves were among those who had access to the leaked documents, the Times reported Saturday, quoting sources close to the case.

The confidential documents began being disclosed two weeks ago with the first of several stories in The New York Times that cited FBI reports of people interviewed as part of the Pellicano probe.

Attorney Terry W. Bird said he called on the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate. Bird's clients include divorce lawyer Dennis M. Wasser, who represented billionaire Kirk Kerkorian in a child support dispute with his ex-wife Lisa Bonder Kerkorian.

Another of the attorneys on Kerkorian's legal team, Terry Christensen, has been charged with conspiracy for allegedly paying Pellicano at least $100,000 to illegally listen in on Bonder Kerkorian's conversations during the 2002 support dispute. Christensen has pleaded not guilty.

Someone labeled a person of interest is not necessarily suspected of wrongdoing, and thus information gathered about them is often kept confidential to avoid embarrassing an innocent individual. Bird said he is confident Wasser won't wind up among the more than a dozen people who have been charged with crimes in connection with Pellicano, and is angry that confidential information about the case was released.

The leaked information was on computer discs turned over to defense attorneys April 5. U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer had issued an order two days before restricting its access to prosecutors, investigators, defense attorneys and their clients.

''Die Hard'' director John McTiernan, who admitted lying to the FBI about hiring Pellicano to wiretap Hollywood producer Charles Roven, is awaiting sentencing in July. Former Hollywood Records Chairman Robert Pfeifer, who admitted hiring Pellicano to wiretap the phone of his former girlfriend, is to be sentenced in June.

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