CARMINE CARIDI - OSCAR CHIEFS EXPEL 'PIRATE' CARIDI

Actor CARMINE CARIDI has become the first person in the history of the ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES, ARTS AND SCIENCES to be expelled - over claims he pirated screener copies of OSCAR contenders.

The GODFATHER: PART II star, 70, admitted sending tapes of films such as MYSTIC RIVER and SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE to pal RUSSELL SPRAGUE, who then made them available on the internet.

And although Caridi insists he was only lending the films to 51-year-old Sprague - who has been charged with two counts of copyright violation - for his own personal entertainment, the Oscar officials were forced to take action.

Academy president FRANK PIERSON explains, "We had hoped that this situation would not arise. But the organisation had a duty to both movie distribution companies and its other members.

"We must live up to our part of the bargain and to enforce our commitment to safeguard the video tapes sent to us."

Although Pierson refused to name Caridi as the person expelled, he is the only member known to have violated regulations in this manner.