An internal investigation into media leaks at tech giant Hewlett-Packard blows up into a full-fledged media event. The revelations cost chairman Patricia Dunn and others their jobs, and spur legal action ranging from felony charges for some to a new federal law on the controversial practice of "pretexting."
HP's boardroom drama
Current stories
Calif. court drops charges against Dunn
Judge dismisses misdemeanor charge against former HP chairman. Three other defendants in spying scandal to do community service.
March 14, 2007
HP execs: Spy scandal was ethical wake-up call
The silver lining is tighter controls on future internal investigations, the company's top ethics and privacy execs say.
March 1, 2007
Lawyer for former HP chairman vows revenge on Perkins
Former board member Tom Perkins accused of "cowardly attacks" and "rewriting history" in his recent comments about Patricia Dunn.
February 28, 2007
Control freaks won at HP, ex-board member says
Former director Tom Perkins airs his side of the story in spying scandal that led to board members' resignations.
Video: Perkins warns of governance without expertise
February 27, 2007
President signs pretexting bill into law
Federal law makes it illegal to buy, sell or obtain personal phone records through fraudulent means; violations could yield prison time.
January 16, 2007
Data broker in HP 'pretext' case pleads guilty
blog U.S. Attorney's office wins first conviction in the Hewlett-Packard spying case.
January 12, 2007
Feds charge investigator in HP spy case
One of the private investigators hired to ferret out the source of a news leak is charged with federal identity theft and conspiracy.
January 10, 2007
HP finance veteran to step down at year's end
CFO Bob Wayman plans to formally retire in March. Treasurer Cathie Lesjak is slated to fill his shoes.
December 11, 2006
HP settles with California in spy scandal
State says it has made a deal with PC maker over civil charges related to methods used in an HP leak investigation.
December 7, 2006
HP discloses formal SEC inquiry into spy tactics
FCC has also requested records relating to controversial boardroom leak probe, according to a regulatory filing.
November 16, 2006
Listen up
Will HP charges hold up?
CNET News.com's Declan McCullagh shares thoughts on Dunn surrendering to authorities.
Download mp3 (4.06MB)
HP's Mark Hurd speaks
Complete audio of HP's CEO Mark Hurd on his company spying on reporters and HP officials to stop leaks.
Download mp3 (4.06MB)
Lawyer details HP investigation
Morgan Lewis lawyer Mike Holston outlines what his company's investigation has learned.
Download mp3 (5.46MB)
Former HP chairman pleads not guilty to felonies
At arraignment, Patricia Dunn hears four felony charges against her, enters plea and is released on own recognizance.
November 15, 2006
New questions for Hurd, but few answers
When asked by Congress to supply more information about the spying campaign, HP's chief executive could recall few details.
PDF: Hurd's response
November 1, 2006
October stories
Defense Department hires HP
Shortly after Congress grills it on privacy, subsidiary of U.S. agency enlists company to build IT infrastructures.
October 17, 2006
Hewlett-Packard hires new ethics officer
Jon Hoak replaces Kevin Hunsaker, who faces criminal charges for his role in company's leak probe.
October 12, 2006
Dunn, Fiorina lash out at HP board
Both women blame former board members George Keyworth and Tom Perkins for their troubles at Hewlett-Packard.
October 8, 2006
Former HP chairman booked
Judge releases Patricia Dunn on her own recognizance provided she went right to the sheriff's office for booking.
October 5, 2006
Dunn to surrender Thursday
Four of the five people facing charges in HP spying case are set to turn themselves in soon.
October 5, 2006
Dunn charged with four felonies
Attorney general calls former Chairman Patricia Dunn 'catalyst' for HP leak hunt and say others could be charged.
October 4, 2006
AG files criminal charges in HP probe
California attorney general files charges against Patricia Dunn and four others.
October 4, 2006
Dunn gave phone numbers to PIs
Documents offer new details of HP's leak hunt, including info Patricia Dunn shared with private investigators.
October 3, 2006
September stories
Leak hunt may have violated law, HP warned
In an August report, outside lawyers said the use of Social Security numbers to get phone records "more likely than not" broke federal law.
September 29, 2006
Pretexting hearing turns to wireless execs
Six major carriers are on board with a congressional committee's desire to criminalize the controversial practice.
September 29, 2006
How HP bugged e-mail
Commercial online service was used to track e-mail sent to a reporter in Hewlett-Packard's leak probe, investigator testifies.
September 28, 2006
Say what? Key quotes from HP's congressional hearing
A sampling of some of the best zingers--ranging from acerbic barbs to passing the buck--to come from HP testimony.
September 28, 2006
Hurd: HP's founders would be appalled
In testimony to Congress on Thursday, Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd said he wishes he had asked more questions.
September 28, 2006
Dunn grilled by Congress
Former HP chairman attempts to distance herself from pretexting techniques after most HP witnesses refuse to testify.
September 28, 2006
Memos shed light on past pretexting
Internal documents say HP has pretexted before and that its investigators trailed a reporter while on vacation.
September 28, 2006
Top lawyer leaves, won't testify
Ann Baskins, who spent most of her career at HP, was implicated in the leak investigation scandal.
September 28, 2006
HP in for hard time at hearing
With elections coming up, congressional subcommittee is likely to make an example of HP for the spying tactics it used.
September 27, 2006
Key to HP's credibility in hands of new lawyers
HP has chosen a venerable Philadelphia law firm to conduct an in-house investigation into its leaks scandal.
September 27, 2006
Dunn says others in charge of probe
Former HP chairman drops names of CEO Mark Hurd, General Counsel Ann Baskins and CFO Bob Wayman.
September 27, 2006
Second HP employee issued probe warning
HP security official warned others that methods for gathering phone records were "unethical at the least and probably illegal."
September 27, 2006
Two HP employees depart amid leak probe
Tony Gentilucci and Kevin Hunsaker, both named as key figures in the leak probe scandal, have left the company.
September 26, 2006
Telecoms feel the pretexting heat
As Congress calls telecom CEOs on the carpet, CNET News.com takes a look at how well the phone companies protect your privacy.
September 26, 2006
Out of the shadows, a pretexter's tale
HP's boardroom scandal has cast a new light on the dirty deeds of data traffickers. James Rapp used to be one of them.
September 26, 2006
Five questions for HP
Friday's press event provided more details about HP's leak probe. But it failed to answer some key questions and raised new ones.
September 25, 2006
HP chairman resigns, CEO confirms knowledge of probe
CEO Mark Hurd takes over chairman's post as Patricia Dunn resigns from a board grappling with scandal.
September 22, 2006
Probe dug deep on CNET reporter, family
Investigators tried to draw a connection between a board member and the father of a CNET News.com reporter.
September 21, 2006
HP announces broader SEC inquiry
Company also reaches pact with former directors Perkins and Keyworth, who stepped down amid the ongoing saga.
September 21, 2006
Hurd linked to journalist probe
E-mails link HP's chief executivefor the first time to the company's controversial internal investigation of leaks to the news media.
September 20, 2006
Dunn toasted at gala dinner
HP's chairman receives warm welcome, standing ovation when accepting award from advocacy group that touts business ethics.
September 20, 2006
HP board meets amid probe scandal
Board meets as controversy widens over the tactics used in a probe into media leaks, News.com has learned.
September 20, 2006
Perkins: Pretexting dates don't match
When did the company begin targeting reporters' records? Some accounts of the start date don't match up.
September 20, 2006
Reporters targeted by HP before they published
The personal phone records of two News.com reporters were targeted prior to the publishing of story that detailed boardroom planning.
September 19, 2006
House aide: Dunn, Baskins, Sonsini to testify
And House asks two more investigators to appear at Sept. 28 committee hearing into HP "pretexting" scandal.
September 19, 2006
Spokesman among targets in HP leak probe
At a women's conference, the former CEO looks to her shared history with HP and dismisses talk of today's turmoil.
September 16, 2006
Congress asks HP chairman, exec to testify
House Commerce and Energy Committee also wants HP outside counsel and outside investigator to stop by.
September 15, 2006
Scandal reviving pretexting legislation
After their initial interest subsided, politicians are turning their attention back to dealing with those who access others' phone records.
September 15, 2006
What Congress isn't doing to stop pretexting
Ten anti-pretexting bills are stalled in Congress. Here's a guide to what hasn't been done.
September 15, 2006
Congress plans hearings on HP 'pretexting'
As scandal over HP methods mushrooms, House plans special hearings; company reps will likely be called to testify.
September 14, 2006
HP leak probe extended to employees
In an apology to employees, Chairman Patricia Dunn notes that two HP workers were also targeted.
September 13, 2006
Leak scandal costs HP's Dunn her chairman's job
Patricia Dunn to step down from her post in January in the wake of a controversial probe into media leaks.
September 12, 2006
Lawmakers, U.S. attorney join HP leak probe
House committee and Department of Justice each investigate the methods Hewlett-Packard used to nab the source of media leaks.
September 11, 2006
HP board mum on Dunn's fate
Following a Sunday meeting to discuss a probe of leaks to the news media, the board plans to reconvene late Monday.
September 10, 2006
Probe snared a third News.com reporter
In a surprising twist, the telephone records of CNET News.com reporter Stephen Shankland's father were also targeted.
September 8, 2006
HP memo: We will take the necessary action
HP exec Mark Hurd reaches out to employees as the company decides how to react to this week's boardroom pretexting scandal.
September 8, 2006
Dunn: Use of pretexting 'embarrassing'
An investigation's method of scrutinizing board members and journalists was "wrong" and has left the company red-faced.
September 8, 2006
Security breaches are wake-up calls to phone companies
Experts say phone companies lag behind other industries in keeping customer information under wraps.
September 8, 2006
Reporters' records accessed in HP probe
Two News.com reporters are among nine journalists whose personal phone records were accessed during HP's probe into boardroom leaks.
September 7, 2006
Previous coverage
SEC filing acknowledges 'pretexting' in HP board probe
The company's investigation into media leaks has stirred up federal regulators and the California attorney general's office.
September 6, 2006
Media leaks prompt HP board shake-up
The computer giant has been investigating media leaks, prompting one board member to resign.
September 5, 2006
HP revels in Fiorina's vision, Hurd's discipline
Company investors and employees have two leaders to thank for HP's resurgence this year, as the Compaq bet finally starts to pay off.
August 28, 2006
HP outlines long-term strategy
Plans for next 18 months include improved direct sales technology, acquisitions and, yes, more printers.
January 23, 2006
Hurd signs on as new HP chief
Hewlett-Packard has selected Mark Hurd, NCR chief executive, as its next CEO, ushering in a new phase for the tech giant.
March 29, 2006
Journalists intend to sue Hewlett-Packard over surveillance
The New York Times
The Kona files: How an obsession with leaks brought scandal to Hewlett-Packard
The New Yorker
Bush signs bill banning pretexting
Ars Technica
HP fills board seat with Valley outsider
Financial Times
Ex-HP board chair pleads not guilty in boardroom leak case
San Jose Mercury News
A reporter's story: How HP kept tabs on me for a year
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Carly Fiorina reviews her career, and we review her book
Knowledge@Wharton
Dunn and Fiorina are models of dignity in the face of disaster
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Zip it: James Surowiecki on why Hewlett-Packard had to spy
The New Yorker
HP spied on its own directors
Wired News
Intrigue in high places
Newsweek
HP board clash over leaks triggers angry resignation
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Bios and background on the HP board members involved in the pretexting saga.
A look at the pivotal moments in the Hewlett-Packard boardroom shake-up.
chart Which agencies have launched investigations, and where do those probes stand?
PDFs Read highlights (and lowlights) in 700 pages of e-mails, IMs and more between execs and PIs.
PDFs Read California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's felony filings against Dunn, others.
PDF Read Mark Hurd's written testimony to Congress.
PDF Read Patricia Dunn's written testimony to Congress.
PDF Read the transcript of Mark Hurd's address to the press on Sept. 22.
PDF Read the Energy and Commerce Committee's letter, asking for the name of its investigation firm.
PDF Read the former board member's scathing letter, explaining that he quit in protest of probe methods.
Former HP chief discusses board dynamics, lessons learned from tribulations.
Why did so many of those involved in the HP scandal take the Fifth? Enron.
CNET News.com's Declan McCullagh asks if politicos are really in favor of our privacy.
Bill Lockyer discusses the crime of pretexting and how his office is dealing with the problem.
U.S. Attorney's office wins first conviction in the Hewlett-Packard spying case.
"I was the personification of a change they knew was necessary but feared," she tells MIT crowd.
Congress couldn't resist more digs at Silicon Valley darling in second day of hearings.
Forget pretexting, let's talk power. HP to acquire Voodoo PC, maker of high-end systems.
Dunn focuses early part of testimony on problems posed by boardroom leaks.
Former HP board members, employees and contractors to speak before House subcommittee.
Reporters were understandably wary of an e-mail attachment from HP.
Chipmaker's chairman doesn't, however, explicitly condone the tactics used by HP.
video Former HP director warns of governance without expertise.
photos Here, the famous and infamous who probably now wish they'd never hit the Send button.
photos Former HP chairman leaves Santa Clara County Superior Court on her way to be booked on four felony charges.
video Bill Lockyer says protecting privacy is crucial.
photos California Attorney General Bill Lockyer announces filings against five people.
videos U.S. representatives bring the heat, while several people involved in the scandal take the Fifth.
photos Congressional panel hears about the scandal from former chairman, one of few who didn't plead the Fifth.
images HP employed a commercial service to track a reporter's e-mails. Here are screenshots.
video In Reporters' Roundtable, CNET News.com's Charlie Cooper, Jim Kerstetter and Ina Fried raise new questions.
photos Embattled chairman accepts a Hall of Fame leadership award at a gala dinner in San Francisco.
video HP chairman makes comments on scandal at Hall of Fame induction.
video Join CNET News.com's Charles Cooper for this week's Reporters' Roundtable.
It would be nice, if challenging, to snare an ethically challenged
board member ethically.
This is a tempest in a teapot, but I'd bet it won't go away fast.
- ..... HP worker's fall from plane may have been suicide
- by freq October 2, 2006 8:04 PM PDT
- so this has been going on for some time.... is this story actual? I mean really, did someone fall from a plane?
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(6 Comments)if so... reason that these shadow puppets love to play games with their prey....... drive them out of their mind... play on their fears... I mean really, who wrote the book on that sh- ?
shoes should be falling from the public sector as well........ IMHO ;-(