Testifying at the trial of "Detective to the Stars" Anthony Pellicano, Rock told the court he had hired the sleuth in 1999 to investigate Monika Zsibrita, who claimed the funnyman had fathered her child after a one-night stand.

Pellicano, 64, is accused of running a criminal enterprise that illegally wiretapped the adversaries of his high-powered clients.

He is alleged to have obtained unauthorized police information on Zsibrita after she demanded money from Rock.

Rock, 43, who was separated from his wife at the time of his tryst with Zsibrita, said he had hired Pellicano on the advice of his lawyer after suspecting he was the victim of a "shake down."

"Someone who is not pregnant with my child claims to be pregnant with my child and requested large sums of money," said Rock, who spoke quietly during his 15-minute testimony, in contrast to his normal raucous stand-up shows.

DNA testing later proved the woman's claims against Rock were false.

Rock said Pellicano had contacted him in 2001 about a police report containing an allegation of assault by Zsibrita involving the comedian.

He said Pellicano told him: "I'm going to read it to you, but I'm not supposed to have it."'

Rock has denied any knowledge of Pellicano's alleged illegal activities.

Prosecutors have charged Pellicano and four co-defendants on 107 federal charges, accusing them of illegally wiretapping clients and legal adversaries. The five men have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Pellicano is alleged to have paid a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant to run dozens of unauthorized background checks on law enforcement databases.

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