Murdoch insider Rebekah Brooks charged over phone-hacking inquiry

May 15, 2012|By Richard Allen Greene, CNN

 

Former News International chief Rebekah Brooks blasted British prosecutors Tuesday for charging her with obstructing the investigation into phone hacking at media mogul Rupert Murdoch's British newspapers, calling the case "an expensive sideshow."

Brooks, whose husband, driver and personal assistant also face charges, said she is "baffled" and angered by the decision to charge "those closest to me."

"One day the details of this case will emerge, and people will see today as nothing more than an expensive sideshow -- a waste of public money as a result of an unjust and weak decision," she told reporters outside her lawyer's office.   READ MORE

 

New Arrests Rock Murdoch Empire

Rupert Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks.
(photo: Barry Batchelor/PA)

By Jamie Doward, The Observer UK

12 February 12

Five senior journalists are held in police corruption probe amid speculation over future of the Sun

upert Murdoch is expected to fly to Britain this week to tackle the latest allegations to rock his media empire, involving the corruption of public officials by Sun journalists.

The deputy editor, Geoff Webster, chief reporter John Kay, picture editor John Edwards, chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker and deputy news editor John Sturgis were arrested in early morning raids on suspicion of bribing police and public officials. There was also a search of the Sun's offices. A Surrey police officer, a member of the armed forces and a Ministry of Defence employee were also arrested.

Part of Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's investigation into newspaper corruption, the arrests follow those of four former and current Sun journalists and a serving Metropolitan police officer.

Senior Sun employees Chris Pharo and Mike Sullivan, executive editor Fergus Shanahan and News International's editorial development director, Graham Dudman, were arrested on 28 January. Rebekah Brooks, the Sun's former editor, and Andy Coulson, ex-editor of the News of the World, have also been questioned. The arrests have prompted speculation that News Corp, News International's US-based parent company, may be forced to consider closing the Sun, as it did with the News Of The World, in an attempt to protect the Murdoch empire.  READ MORE

Murdoch to Outgoing Execs: Thanks for Everything, Here's a Load of Money

The Daily Mail is reporting today that multi-million-dollar severance packages are in store for many of the top News Corp. executives claimed as early casualties of the phone hacking scandal now engulfing Rupert Murdoch's media empire. Rebekah Brooks, the fiery-haired former boss of the company's British newspaper division who resigned just yesterday, is said to be in line for a $5.6 million payout. Others likely to leave with a well-padded envelope (or, rather, bank account) include the final editor of News of the World, the Sunday tabloid at the center of the hacking allegations, two top News Corp. lawyers, as well as recently-departed Dow Jones CEO Les Hinton. One condition of the severance deals: gagging orders so none of them get the company in any more trouble than it's already in.

Rebekah Brooks in line for £3.5m pay out [Daily Mail]