Journalists face fraud charges

Los Angeles (AP) - A former newspaper columnist and his wife were indicted by a federal grand jury on postal fraud and tax evasion charges, for allegedly selling tabloids information about Elizabeth Taylor and other celebrities based on phoney sources. Tony Castro, 45, who was a political reporter and columnist on the now-defunct Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and Renee Castro, 31, were indicted on 21 counts of fraudulently selling information about Elizabeth Taylor, Magic Johnson, Madonna and others to newspapers for more than dollars 214,000 ( pounds 127,000) between 1987 and 1990.

They are said to have used false identities to collect payment, and not to have paid tax. A government lawyer said information provided by Mr and Mrs Castro led to 'hundreds' of stories. But he did not say whether the stories were false.