Figure in Polanski Documentary: I Lied

LOS ANGELES - A former prosecutor who told a documentary film crew that he advised a judge handling Roman Polanski's case now says he lied about that.

David F. Wells says he lied to the makers of "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" about telling a judge in chambers that he should send the director to prison. The statements became part of the basis for a move by Polanski's attorneys to dismiss the case against the fugitive director, who is now in Swiss custody.

Wells retired as a prosecutor more than two years ago.

He says he "embellished" his actions to the film makers because he was told the documentary would air in France, not the United States.

"It was a dumb thing to do," Wells says. "I'm going to have to live with it."