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Home Page > News > FBI prepares subpoenas for Rupert Murdoch’s 9/11 phone hacking allegations

FBI prepares subpoenas for Rupert Murdoch’s 9/11 phone hacking allegations

Murdoch's US interests under investigation

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, July 23, 2011, 9:24 AM

Updated Saturday, July 23, 2011, 9:26 AM

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Rupert Murdoch's troubles just crossed the Atlantic. Yesterday the U.S. Justice department and the FBI announced they plan to subpoena Murdoch's News Corp group over the alleged phone hacking of 9/11 victims and the bribing of foreign officials.

The move comes after accusations that News Corp tabloid The News of The World bribed British police and also hacked into the voice mail of September 11 victims in order to gain information for news stories.

If the subpoena uncovers evidence, it would spell costly trouble for Murdoch's media empire - which is currently defending multiple interests in Britain.

A News Corp. spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal yesterday: 'We have not seen any evidence to suggest there was any hacking of 9/11 victim's phones, nor has anybody corroborated what are clearly very serious allegations.

'The story arose when an unidentified person speculated to the Daily Mirror about whether it happened.

'That paper printed the anonymous speculation, which has since mushroomed in the broader media with no substantiation,' the spokesperson added.

On Friday, The Daily Mail reported that the SEC might probe News Corp for failing to alert shareholders to litigation related to the hacking scandal.

In order to subpoena News Corp, the Justice Department would use the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - which bans U.S. companies from paying bribes to overseas officials.

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9 Comments

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seanomelbourne | Jul 23, 2011, 07:21 PM EDT

The demise of the Murdoch empire would put truth and integrity back into the media.

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Searlit | Jul 23, 2011, 03:59 PM EDT

@ MacNamara31, you are right on the mark about Murdoch and his henchmen!

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cillowen | Jul 23, 2011, 11:58 AM EDT

with his oligarchical friends and butt boys like O'Reilly Hannity and such ilk I don't see what how will punish what we largely know they being our life blood masters who provides us with their tweedle dees and more.

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allentown | Jul 23, 2011, 11:43 AM EDT

The FBI, a division of the Justice Department should investigate these allegations. However, why is the ATF, a division of the Justice Department stonewalling the investigation into the sale of thousands of weapons to Mexican drug cartels resulting in the murders of U.S. agents?

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DaithiSuibhne | Jul 23, 2011, 11:29 AM EDT

This guy is a creep of the highest order, his hands are so dirty he must use the 'Devils' own washroom to cleanup. He's been making 'Backroom' deals for so long he's forgotten what reporting the truth is! He's used his media outlets so long to manipulate the news we get I don't see how he got caught up in it. I guess when you get so big you tend to forget to watch all your lackey's all the time. Don't worry Ruppie you've got so many 'People' in your pocket you can get away with anything.

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CitizenWhy | Jul 23, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT

Right Wing Talking Point: This action against teh Murdoch empire (including Fox News) is a conspiracy to eliminate right wing dominance of the media (controlling what people talk about, not necessarily what they say: example, deficit/debt instead of unemployment and jobs). The blogger parrots will be busy with this theme.

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McNamara31 | Jul 23, 2011, 11:09 AM EDT

mrkennedy.. Since when does News Corp have the right to enter and create a cable station in the US run by a political operative (Roger Ailes)with it's main mission to take down the President of the United States? This Aussie became a citizen with the intent to grap a larger share of the US markets. He is into power, more power, greed and the corporate deregulation thru the GOP to deliver him more power and greed.

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mrkennedy | Jul 23, 2011, 10:48 AM EDT

Not surprising with this action by the Obama administration. They will do anything to "ELIMINATE" the strenght of Fox! They are so worried about opposition to the Obama run for reelection to the Presidency!!!

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McNamara31 | Jul 23, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT

Murdoch and his huge News Corp/ Fox News entities are guilty of the lowest of the low and have controlled the journalistic message and the politicians with it for far too long. This shyster is accountable for running an organization that has committed criminal deeds to the most vulnerable and pays hush money to cover their tracks across the continents. Fox News in America controls the weak corporate owned politicians while smearing and demeaning all they see as their opposition. They have successfully divided this country in a way that hasn't been seen since the Civil War all the while manipulating the news so the middle class has no idea they are being hit with a "truckload" of corporate greed. Diversion and deflection is what Murdoch and his Fox/News Corp do best. Fox with Murdoch’s long time political operative at the helm (Roger Ailes) and their ensemble cast of unethical possible candidates and commentators have the gall to call themselves “fair and balanced” while they slander all in their path. Murdoch and his family are the bottom feeders of journalism and the world will be a far better place without them. Regulations should be put in place to never allow one mogul to control so large a slice of worldwide media and the news. With all the damage Murdoch has done in the US it would be very "fair and balanced" if he received his just due from the U.S. Justice department and started his next paper from Rikers Island.

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