Jim Mitteager
Encyclopedia
James J. "Jim" Mitteager (17 July 1946 – 24 July 1997) was an American
journalist
who worked for several tabloid newspapers and covered numerous high-profile incidents.
before becoming a journalist. While working as a freelance writer for the New York Post
, Mitteager was acquitted in 1979 on charges that he had bribed a correction officer to obtain photographs and information about murderer David Berkowitz
.
In 1989, Mitteager helped The National Enquirer
scoop People
in getting the first photo of Riley Keough
, oldest grandchild of Elvis Presley
and Priscilla Presley
.
Mitteager served as Los Angeles bureau chief of tabloid The Globe
. Shortly before his death, Mitteager gave many of the illegally taped phone conversations he made throughout his career to Anthony Pellicano
associate, private investigator Paul Barresi
.After Mitteager died of throat cancer
in 1997, his wife then turned over the remaining tapes (approx. 3000 hours to Barresi. Conversations on these tapes brought to light how Pellicano would approach celebrities and their representatives with tips from reporters, and then offer to have the stories killed in exchange for payment.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who worked for several tabloid newspapers and covered numerous high-profile incidents.
Life and career
Mitteager worked for the New York City Police DepartmentNew York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
before becoming a journalist. While working as a freelance writer for the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, Mitteager was acquitted in 1979 on charges that he had bribed a correction officer to obtain photographs and information about murderer David Berkowitz
David Berkowitz
David Richard Berkowitz , also known as Son of Sam and the .44 Caliber Killer, is an American serial killer and arsonist whose crimes terrorized New York City from July 1976 until his arrest in August 1977.Shortly after his arrest in August 1977, Berkowitz confessed to killing six people and...
.
In 1989, Mitteager helped The National Enquirer
The National Enquirer
The National Enquirer is an American supermarket tabloid now published by American Media Inc . Founded in 1926, the tabloid has gone through a variety of changes over the years....
scoop People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
in getting the first photo of Riley Keough
Riley Keough
Danielle Riley Keough , known as Riley Keough, is an American actress and model. She is the daughter of singer/songwriter Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough, and the oldest grandchild of Elvis and Priscilla Presley.- Model :...
, oldest grandchild of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley is an American actress and businesswoman. She is the ex-wife of singer Elvis Presley, and the mother of singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley....
.
Mitteager served as Los Angeles bureau chief of tabloid The Globe
The Globe (tabloid)
Globe is a supermarket tabloid first published North America on November 10, 1954 in Montreal, Canada as Midnight by Joe Azaria and John Vader and became the chief competitor to the National Enquirer during the 1960s. In 1978 it changed its name to the Midnight Globe after its publisher, Globe...
. Shortly before his death, Mitteager gave many of the illegally taped phone conversations he made throughout his career to Anthony Pellicano
Anthony Pellicano
Anthony Pellicano is a former high-profile Los Angeles private investigator who recently served a sentence of three and a half years in federal prison for illegal possession of explosives, firearms and homemade grenades, and who was arrested on February 4, 2006, on unlawful wiretapping and...
associate, private investigator Paul Barresi
Paul Barresi
Paul Barresi is an American actor, pornographic film director, private investigator, and media personality. Barresi has also been involved in several high-profile celebrity scandals.-Early life and military career:...
.After Mitteager died of throat cancer
Head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer refers to a group of biologically similar cancers that start in the upper aerodigestive tract, including the lip, oral cavity , nasal cavity , paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. 90% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas , originating from the mucosal lining...
in 1997, his wife then turned over the remaining tapes (approx. 3000 hours to Barresi. Conversations on these tapes brought to light how Pellicano would approach celebrities and their representatives with tips from reporters, and then offer to have the stories killed in exchange for payment.