From Reuters, via The Huffington Post:
May 25 (Reuters) - A private detective working for Rupert Murdoch's British newspapers used a legally questionable tactic to obtain a hotel bill that a New York financier ran up at one of London's swankest hotels, records reviewed by Reuters show.
A database of business records compiled by British government investigators shows that some time before his arrest in March 2003, private investigator Steve Whittamore, or someone working for him, misrepresented themselves to obtain from Claridge's Hotel a copy of a bill belonging to Robert Agostinelli, an American who runs the Rhone Group private equity firm.
...
The Whittamore database entry on Agostinelli is one of the few pieces of evidence to surface from extensive U.K. investigations that Americans were targeted by operatives working for Murdoch's British newspapers, who used questionable investigative techniques.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
We have known for a couple of months now that UK lawyer Mark Lewis (no relation to diarist) has 4 civil suits he intends to bring against News Corp. in the United States, at least one victim of which is an American citizen. However, we don't know if Mr. Agostinelli is among these plaintiffs.
Could this be the link that finally brings the scandal to American shores? Let us hope.
Glug glug glug.
Please support the soon-to-be-published book by Kosack and Daily Beast reporter Brit (http://www.dailykos.com/...), a.k.a. Peter Jukes -- THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF MURDOCH:
http://unbound.co.uk/...
UPDATE 1: New Arrest! #30 in Operation Elveden
The always awesome AnnetteK found this development in The Telegraph:
Phone Hacking: The Sun's Whitehall Editor arrested in illegal payments probe
Clodagh Hartley, the Sun’s Whitehall Editor, has been arrested as part of the investigation into illegal payments to public officials, News International sources have confirmed.
The 37-year-old, who became the paper’s first female lobby journalist three years ago, was arrested when she attended Bromley Police Station by appointment this morning.
She was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to corrupt and suspicion of conspiracy to cause misconduct in a public office.
Ms Hartley is a long standing Sun reporter who has worked in Los Angeles for the paper and has also had spells as the consumer affairs correspondent and home affairs correspondent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...
This could be big because it sounds like she worked for News Corp. mostly in the USA!
UPDATE 2:
Also from AnnetteK:
New article in The Independent...
http://www.independent.co.uk/...
Two of David Cameron’s most senior and trusted advisors were having back door text chats with News Corp’s chief lobbyist at the height of the Milly Dowler scandal, it emerged tonight.
Gabby Bertin, the Prime Minister’s press secretary, exchanged numerous messages with Fred Michel in the days after true extent of phone hacking at the News of The World became apparent.
She also contacted the then chief executive of News International Rebekah Brooks to offer her support and was given early warning of the decision to close the News of the World.
Lots of kissie kissie texts at link.
And a paragraph with an unintentionally hilarious typo...
The spokesperson said there was nothing in the emails to suggest that anyone in Downing Street had been discussing the BSkyB deal with Mr Michel and said there was no smoking done.
And there's me thinking they were smoking skunk to think they could get away with all this. Do you think there might be a rogue typist with a sense of humour in their camp?
-AnnetteK
I believe Prime Minister Cameron is being sent a message.
UPDATE 3:
Interesting...Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is also hosed. From Agence France Presse:
LONDON — Britain's culture minister faced fresh pressure Saturday after a press ethics inquiry released dozens of light-hearted text messages between him and a lobbyist for Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, whom he called "mon ami" and "papa".
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt exchanged the friendly and intimate messages with News Corporation's Fred Michel during the period of a controversial attempt by the Murdoch firm to take over lucrative satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
...
In a December 2010 message, one of 67 disclosed Friday, Hunt assured Michel -- then European director of public affairs for Rupert Murdoch's media empire -- there was "nothing u won't like" in an upcoming speech.
http://www.google.com/...
It's like Murdoch tied Hunt to Cameron, then tossed them both under the bus!
UPDATE 4:
Rupert has cancelled this year's annual News Corp. summer party! From The Telegraph:
For prime ministers, leaders of the opposition and prominent media types, it was the party of the season, but Mandrake can disclose that Rupert Murdoch has called off his summer soirée.
“I can confirm that News Corporation is not holding a summer party in London this year,” a spokesman tells me. The decision could not be a more vivid illustration of how the media tycoon’s fortunes have turned during the past 12 months.
Last summer’s party, which was held at the Orangery at Kensington Palace was attended by David and Samantha Cameron.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...