The News of the World phone-hacking scandal, which resulted in the shutdown of a major British newspaper, has now added two new high-profile victims to the case, actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Jolie and Pitt’s victim status was revealed Tuesday morning, as prosecutors in London announced that eight people were to be criminally charged in connection with the scandal.
The individuals who are to be charged include the former News International executive and News of the World editor, Rebekah Brooks, and the former communications director for Prime Minister David Cameron, Andy Coulson.
Brooks and Coulson have been formally accused of 19 counts, including the count of “conspiring to intercept communications without lawful authority” during the time period from October 2000 to August 2006.
In a statement, Brooks indicated the following: “I am not guilty of these charges. I did not authorize, nor was I aware of, phone hacking under my editorship. I will vigorously defend these allegations.”
Former chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck and former assistant editor James Weatherup have been specifically named in connection with the Jolie-Pitt hacking.
Other high-profile targets of alleged hacks include Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Charlotte Church, and Hugh Grant.
A number of large settlements have reportedly already been paid out, including $205,000 to Law, $162,000 to Miller, and $950,000 to Church.
More than 600 people have been identified as victims in the scandal.
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