Madonna hack: Israeli man jailed

Madonna wrote on Instagram following the hack.

TEL AVIV An early competitor in Israel’s formula of “American Idol” appeared to be jailed for 14 days on Thursday for hacking the devices of vocalists inclusive of Madonna, that had protested about ongoing documents from her newest photo album being divulged on the web.

In December, unfinished tracks were leaked before the release of Madonna’s “Rebel Heart” album.

Lederman, a one-time contestant on Israeli TV show A Star Is Born, is also responsible for a 15,000 shekel (almost $4,000) fine.

“The ease with which crimes such as this can be committed by those who have skills in the field, such as the accused, require an appropriate punitive response that has a deterrent and uncompromising message”, the court said in a statement. Lederman had health problems, said the lawyer, declining to detail these for the court record out of privacy concerns.

Lederman admitted that from the beginning of 2014 to his arrest in February this year he hacked the computer of Kevin Anthony, Madonna’s musical manager, as well as several other computers.

At the time she said the crime was an “invasion into my life – creatively, professionally and personally [that] remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience”. The court’s statement reportedly revealed that medical issues suffered by Lederman caused the reduction of his sentence.

Madonna published six singles from her forthcoming LP Rebel Heart after the scandal took place.