UK Charges Rebekah Brooks in Hacking Mess

The spectacular fall of one of Rupert Murdoch's most trusted lieutenants is perhaps almost complete: Former News of the World honcho Rebekah Brooks is being charged with perversion of justice in News Corp's phone-hacking scandal, reports the BBC. Brooks will be charged—along with husband Charlie Brooks, her personal assistant, a chauffeur, and two security staff—with concealing evidence during last year's investigation.

One charge accuses Brooks and her assistant of conspiring to "remove seven boxes of material from the archives of News International," while the two others she faces involve hiding documents and computers. "We deplore this weak and unjust decision after the further unprecedented posturing of the [Crown Prosecution Service]," said a statement from the Brookses, who were at a London police station this morning. They could face up to life in prison, though the Guardian notes that a 10-month sentence is much more typical. (More Rebekah Brooks stories.)