Uruguayan Reporter in Contempt for Using Phone Camera in U.S. Court

A Uruguayan television news reporter pleaded guilty Thursday to contempt charges for illegally using a cell phone camera inside a U.S. courthouse, where cameras are banned, reports Law.com .

"Martin Sarthou, a reporter for Teledoce in Uruguay, got the camera past security at the Miami courthouse and used it to film extradition proceedings in October 2006 involving Juan Peirano Basso, who is accused in Uruguay with taking part in an $800 million banking scandal involving institutions in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

The resulting images were broadcast on Teledoce, including pictures of Peirana being led into court in handcuffs and leg shackles, according to court documents.

"The entire presentation was used to disparage Mr. Peirano in the eyes of the Uruguayan public," said Peirano lawyer Joseph A. DeMaria in court papers.

But according to a translated script, Sarthou said the network "deemed it important for viewers to have access to these images" and see the extradition proceedings for themselves. "

emily | 9:43 AM | Reporters and Picture Phones |
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