Dow Jones CEO Les Hinton resigns as phone hacking probe claims first American News Corp. victim

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. has lost its first stateside executive in the wake of the growing phone hacking scandal. Late Friday afternoon, Dow Jones CEO Les Hinton tendered his resignation.

Hinton informed staff of his decision via an email sent a little after 4:00 p.m., published by News Corp.-owned All Things Digital. He enclosed his letter of resignation to Murdoch, in which he addressed fallout from the hacking scandal.

"That I was ignorant of what apparently happened is irrelevant," Hinton wrote, "and in the circumstances I feel it is proper for me to resign from News Corp., and apologize to those hurt by the actions of the News of the World."

Before working at the Journal, Hinton had served as executive chairman of News International, which oversees News Corp.'s British publications. Friday morning, Rebekah Brooks, most recently chief executive of News International, also resigned.

Brooks, however, refused to admit any wrongdoing. "As chief executive of the company, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place," she wrote.

The Cutline's complete Hackgate coverage:

• Murdoch apologizes for 'serious wrongdoing that occurred'
• Rebekah Brooks resigns amid phone hacking scandal, but doesn't admit guilt
• FBI launches News Corp. phone hacking investigation, AP source says
• What does the phone hacking scandal mean for News Corp. in U.S.?
• Murdochs agree to testify in phone hacking case
• Murdochs dodge British Parliament request to appear in phone hacking case
• Hackgate update: Parliament declares 'victory' but News Corp. stock rebounds
• Calls for U.S. to investigate, prosecute News Corp. grow louder
• Rupert, James Murdoch, Rebekah Brooks asked to appear before British lawmakers
• Phone-hack saga spiraling out of control: 9/11 dead, ex-British P.M. among latest alleged victims
• News glut for News of the World saga
• News Corp. to shutter News of the World in wake of phone hacking scandal
• Pressure mounts on Murdoch over phone hacking: Advertisers flee News of the World; government launches inquiry; more allegations surface
• Billy Bragg's anti-serenade to News Corp.