HP spying drama takes new turn

Allegations of corporate spying escalate with leaked memo

HP allegedly wanted to 'place' personnel into the offices of media companies to spy on staff, according to the latest reports from the ongoing corporate investigation. 

The New York Times claims to have seen a memo suggesting that 'cleaners' or 'secretaries' be placed in the offices of The Wall Street Journal and CNET. 

The document came from a senior manager at HP and used the subtitle 'Covert Operations'.

"Feasibility studies are in progress for undercover operations (clerical) in CNET and Wall Street Journal offices in San Francisco bureaus," the memo is alleged to have said.

However, it is not known whether the plans were put into action or whether any 'cleaners' or 'secretaries' were hired.

CNET also alleged that the phone records of two of its reporters were broken into by HP, as the technology firm tried to discover who had been leaking boardroom information to its journalists.

"All I will say about the maelstrom is that I look forward eagerly, in the near future, to setting the record straight and going back to leading my life as discreetly as possible," HP chairwoman Patricia Dunn said during an acceptance speech as she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Bay Area Council yesterday.

"And in the meantime, it wouldn't hurt if the Pope continued to make controversial comments to grab the attention of the press."

Reports also suggest that California Attorney General Bill Lockyer will take the criminal investigation into corporate spying as far back as 2005, which predates the current allegations.

HP hired private investigators in March 2005 who broke into staff and journalist phone records to try and find the source of the leaks.

Former HP chairman Carly Fiorina was ousted from the firm during that time and HP would only state that Fiorina and the board had "differences".