With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Scarlett Johansson's Nude Photo Hacker Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
The man responsible for hacking into the private accounts of Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Christina Aguilera and scores of other celebrities has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, reports the Associated Press.
Christopher Chaney, 35, was sentenced today in Los Angeles by U.S. District Judge S. James Otero.
Chaney had plead guilty to charges that included "wiretapping and unauthorized access to a computer," reports the news site. In addition to the celebrities, he was accused of hacking into the accounts of two co-workers and sending nude or revealing pictures of them to their relatives -- a charge that he denies.
But Chaney did not deny violating the privacy of the rich and famous, saying:
"I don't know what else to say other than I'm sorry...I could be sentenced to never use a computer again and I wouldn't care."
In addition to his jail time, Chaney faces three years of supervised probation. He'll also have to alert authorities to any online accounts.
Kunis, Aguilera and Johansson went public with their stories in order to draw attention to the case. It wasn't long after Johansson admitted her involvement that the FBI became involved, and Chaney was arrested.