Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie's phones allegedly hacked; two charged in phone hacking scandal

by the Associated Press

2:41 p.m. CDT, July 24, 2012

LONDON (AP) - Britain's phone hacking scandal has entered a new and expanded criminal phase -- with charges being filed against two former members of Prime Minister David Cameron's inner circle.Prosecutors say Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks are among eight people being charged in a campaign of illegal espionage. They're accused of conspiring to intercept the communications of at least 600 people between 2000 and 2006.Coulson and Brooks are both former editors of News of the World, the Rupert Murdoch tabloid that has now been shut down.The alleged victims of the espionage included everyone from a murdered teenager to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Coulson and Brooks have previously been charged in related cases. They have both denied wrongdoing.The charges may further embarrass Cameron, who hired Coulson as his chief communications adviser. The prime minister once counted Brooks and her horse-training husband in his circle of friends.

Become a KY3 Insider! Sign up for our news and recipe newsletters!