Rupert Murdoch at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos in 2009 (courtesy Creative Commons)

Both Coulson and Brooks maintain their innocence and plan to fight the charges. Brooks already faces three charges of perverting justice stemming from the scandal. Coulson is charged with four counts related to the phone hacking of a missing 13-year-old girl, who was later found dead.

The phone hacking scandal broke in 2006 after police investigated suspicions that the voicemails of the British royal family were compromised. Rupert Murdoch, the tabloid owner, denied any wrongdoing for the next five years until an investigative report exposed a massive cover-up.

Others charged in the scandal included some of the tabloid's top journalists and prosecutors, whose notes were an integral part of unveiling the cover-up. The eight people charged face 19 charges total and are expected to appear in court August 16.

Read the full story at The Washington Post and The BBC.

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage on the phone hacking scandal click here.

Reach Supervising Executive Producer Amanda Martinez here.