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Celebrity Hacker Faces L.A. Federal Court Judge

Hacker faces charges for infiltrating emails of Christina Aguilera, Scarlett Johansson, and more.

The case has been dubbed "Operation Hackerazzi."

Actress Scarlett Johansson, a victim of Chaney's hacking (Wikimedia)
Actress Scarlett Johansson, a victim of Chaney's hacking (Wikimedia)

Christopher Chaney, a 35-year-old Florida hacker, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he hacked the email accounts of Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera and other celebrities. The case involves as many as 50 victims.

He is charged with identity theft, unauthorized computer access and wire-tapping. Chaney, who was arrested last month, is currently free on $10,000 bail.

Authorities believe that Chaney used public sources to find information on the accounts of the celebrities he hacked. He would obtain access to the email accounts, find personal information and emails, and then send those files to his own account.

Chaney was even able to tap into the victims' emails after they had changed their passwords.

According to the FBI, Chaney illegally distributed photos and information to celebrity news and gossip sites, who then posted the content online.

Chaney released nude pictures of actress Scarlett Johansson, who revealed in Vanity Fair Tuesday that the pictures were meant for her ex-husband, Ryan Reynolds.

 

 

RELATED:

FBI Arrests Celebrity Phone Hacker Arrested

Neon Tommy: "Operation Hackerazzi" Comes to a Close

Neon Tommy: Scarlett Johansson Nude Photo Leak

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