Hacking scandal fells ex-UK police media chief

[March 29, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- The communications chief at London's police department has resigned following an investigation touched off by the phone hacking scandal.

Scotland Yard's Dick Fedorcio resigned Thursday after the force decided he would face disciplinary proceedings over a contract awarded to a former executive at Rupert Murdoch's now-defunct News of the World tabloid.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission decided Fedorcio had to answer questions in the hiring of Neil Wallis. Fedorcio has been on extended leave while the allegations were being investigated.

The allegation came to light amid the phone hacking scandal, which began with revelations that journalists hacked the phones of celebrities and others to get story scoops. The controversy showed the cozy ties between British tabloids and senior police officers.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.