House Committee Grills HP Executives on Leak Investigation Tactics

Washington, DC -- Testifying on Thursday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, former Hewlett-Packard chairman Patricia Dunn expressed "deep regret" about methods used to collect phone records as part of an internal leak probe. Dunn was one of several current or former HP executives, including CEO Mark Hurd, to appear before the committee concerning the actions of investigators, who allegedly masqueraded as HP employees, directors and journalists to obtain their phone records. Dunn denied being involved in conversations regarding the tactics, known as "pretexting," but said that she was assured that the methods being used were legal. Hurd said that he was not personally involved in the investigation, but knew about it through conversations with Dunn. Ten other people called to testify asserted their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, refusing to answer questions. "We have before us witnesses from Hewlett-Packard to discuss a plumbers operation that would make Richard Nixon blush were he still alive," said Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.). "It's a sad day for this proud company," said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Col.). "Something has really gone wrong at this institution." HP is based in Palo Alto.
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