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Murdoch's News Corp Could Face US Charges

News Corp may have violated US anti-bribery law

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2011 4:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – If prosecutors in the US decide to pick a fight with Rupert Murdoch and his media empire, the phone-hacking scandal on the other side of the Atlantic has provided them with plenty of ammunition, legal experts say. His News of the World is accused of paying off police officers in Britain (and trying to pay off a New York City cop), an allegation that could lead to charges against News Corp and potentially even Murdoch himself for violating a US law that bans bribing foreign officials, Reuters notes.

Fear of exposure may have prompted Murdoch to quickly kill off the tainted tabloid, a former federal prosecutor tells AP. "Someone must have advised him that he needed to do that to limit his exposure," he says. "Clearly, the act is broad enough to cover something like this, and the US Department of Justice is being increasingly vigorous in enforcing this act." If bribes were paid, News Corp could also become the target of an SEC probe, experts say.

Rupert Murdoch may have axed the News of the World to limit its parent corporation's legal exposure, experts say. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 10 comments

Caps

Jul 12, 2011 9:38 AM CDT

I would love to see the whole bunch at Fox News be taken down, all they due is spew gloom and doom, and lies and hate.

Buckshot

Jul 12, 2011 8:08 AM CDT

That would be wonderful to see this old Pirate do some jail time, he's a prov ayer of hate, racism and class warfare he needs to be taken down just like any evil dictator. Then send his hateful ass back to Australia.

Count-Spatula

Jul 12, 2011 6:55 AM CDT

Pfft. Yeah right. Like hell he will. Treason laws are for non-billionaires And the world is the fucked up place it is, not just because the Right is evil, but because the Left are a bunch of pussies who can't stand up to anyone.

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Media • Crime & Courts • US

Rupert Murdoch • bribery • News of the World • News Corp • US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act • phone hacking scandal

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Murdoch's News Corp Could Face US Charges

News Corp may have violated US anti-bribery law

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Rupert Murdoch • bribery • News of the World • News Corp • US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act • phone hacking scandal

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