Submitted by Fox First at Ten on June 13th
LONDON (AP) - Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive of Rupert Murdoch's News International, appeared in court Wednesday on charges of attempting to cover up evidence of tabloid phone-hacking and was granted bail until a court appearance next week.
Brooks, who has denied the offenses, spoke only to confirm her name and address during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
Brooks, 44, was charged last month, and faces allegations of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice - an offense that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Prosecutors say she removed boxes of material from the News International archive and tried to conceal documents, computers and other material from police.
The charges stem from the scandal that exploded last year when it emerged that reporters at Murdoch's News of the World tabloid, had hacked into the voicemails of celebrities, politicians and people thrust into the public eye. Brooks edited the newspaper between 2000 and 2003, and went on to edit its sister paper, The Sun, and to head Murdoch's British newspaper operations.
The scandal has rocked Rupert Murdoch's media empire and triggered three police investigations, in which more than 40 people have been arrested.
Brooks was charged last month with three counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Brooks' husband Charlie Brooks, along with her personal assistant, her chauffeur, and two News international security personnel also were granted bail until a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on June 22.
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