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Reuters 'investigating' Matthew Keys after 'Anonymous' indictment

Thomson Reuters is 'investigating' the federal indictment against social media editor Matthew Keys, which charges him with allegedly conspiring with members of the hacker group “Anonymous” to hack into the Los Angeles Times.

"We are aware of the charges brought by the Department of Justice against Matthew Keys, an employee of our news organization," David Girardin, the corporate affairs manager for Thomson Reuters, told POLITICO. "Thomson Reuters is committed to obeying the rules and regulations in every jurisdiction in which it operates. 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, and while investigations continue we will have no further comment.”

Girardin did not comment on Keys' current employment status with the company.

(UPDATE: Matthew Keys suspended at Reuters)

Keys, a former web producer for the Tribune Co-owned television station KTXL FOX 40, in Sacramento, Calif., was charged with providing members of Anonymous with log-in credentials for a computer server belonging to the Tribune Co., according to the Dept. of Justice. Keys was terminated from KTXL Fox in 2010 and joined Reuters in Jan. 2012.

Keys faces three charges, which amount to a total of 25 years in prison.

The Tribune Co. has declined to comment; Keys has not responded to a request for comment.

The full details of the indictment are available in our intitial report.