Sun journalist charged over police bribes

[January 22, 2013]  LONDON (AP) -- British prosecutors say the defense editor of Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid The Sun and a former police officer have been charged in connection with the bribing of public officials for information.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Tuesday that journalist Virginia Wheeler and Constable Paul Flattley have been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

Prosecutors allege that Flattley was paid at least 6,450 pounds ($10,225) between 2008 and 2011 for information on "accidents, incidents and crimes."

The bribery probe is running alongside investigations into phone hacking and computer hacking sparked by revelations that reporters at Murdoch's now-shuttered News of the World routinely intercepted voice mails of those in the public eye.

Dozens of people have been arrested and several charged over the scandal, including former Murdoch executive Rebekah Brooks.

[Associated Press]

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