Former HP chairman pleads not guilty

Patricia Dunn claims that she was not informed of the illegal search methods

Patricia Dunn has pleaded not guilty to felony charges resulting from the HP spying and identity theft scandal. 

The former HP chairman is facing charges for having ordered an investigation that sought to identify fellow board members who leaked information to news media.

The investigation culminated in alleged identity theft when investigators used social security numbers and other confidential information to access phone records of media workers and board members.

Dunn was forced to step down as HP chairman last September and has been replaced by the company's chief executive Mark Hurd.

The plea of not guilty comes as no surprise as Dunn has always maintained that, although she ordered the investigation, she was not informed of the illegal search methods.

California prosecutors also have filed charges against a former HP lawyer and three private investigators hired by HP.

These charges are fraudulently obtaining phone records, unlawfully accessing and using computer data, identity theft and conspiracy charges. Each count carries a maximum three-year prison term as well as monetary fines.

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