A Reuters journalist has been charged by US authorities with conspiring with hacking group Anonymous to deface a story on the Los Angeles Times' website.
If convicted, Reuters deputy social media editor Matthew Keys faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 (€192,000) fine.
He is accused of plotting to break into the computers of his former employer, Tribune Co.
The alleged incident occured before he joined Thomson Reuters Corp, the indictment filed yesterday indicated.
The indictment charged Mr Keys with three criminal counts, including conspiracy to transmit information to damage a protected computer.
The indictment said that he promised to give hackers access to Tribune Co websites and that a story on the Tribune's Los Angeles Times website was later altered by one of them.
Mr Keys did not respond to requests for comment.
But several hours after the indictment was handed down, he tweeted: "I found out the same way most of you did: From Twitter. Tonight I'm going to take a break. Tomorrow, business as usual."
His attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment.
A Thomson Reuters spokesman said the company was aware of the indictment and added: "Any legal violations, or failures to comply with the company's own strict set of principles and standards, can result in disciplinary action.
"We would also observe the indictment alleges the conduct occurred in December 2010; Mr. Keys joined Reuters in 2012."
The company did not comment on Mr Keys's employment status.
However, a Thomson Reuters employee at the New York office where Mr Keys worked said that his work station was being dismantled and that his security pass had been deactivated.
