5:00 PM -- It's been a busy week at HP. Recent reports have revealed that executives there have spied on journalists and their own board members. They've also tried to find out a journalist's sources by concocting fake presentations and leaking them to the media under the guise of a fictitious, disgruntled senior executive.
HP's never been what I'd call a friendly place. But now it seems to be downright ruthless. Does there come a point when the media should stop giving a company the benefit of the doubt? I'm wondering:
re: Spy: The HP WayPeople are not asked to leave the board lightly and without rock solid proof. People like Perkins do not lightly "go public".
You cannot tell me that at the board meeting they voted out the leaker, there was not a copy of his or the reporter's phone bill presented as "rock solid proof".
You cannot tell me Dunn nor Herd nor the members of the board are so stupid as to believe that data was obtained in any legal manner, in spite of the advise of counsel. This stunt was obviously far from borderline, it was and is flat out illegal, at least in California.
The "advise of counsel" is not a "get of jail free" -card. The internal attorneys are fired, so the board figured that one out. Now they should get Sonsini's resignation and sue his butt off.
The irony is any award will probably come from HPs D&O insurance, not WSG&R's malpractice insurance.
Not the first time the S in WSG&R gets in hot water:
re: Spy: The HP WayHerd is quoted as saying during the press conference that he didn't read the email that was sent notifying him of the questionable practices in the investigation. He doesn't deny getting the email. What an idiot. He wants us to believe that didn't read such an important email. Is this some attempt to evade responsibility or is he admiting negligence in his duties?
re: Spy: The HP WaySo what is with this, Dunn out but Herd takes Chairman role. I thought Herd was implicated as well. In any case the CEO should not also be the Chairman of the Board. This is the lack of independant oversight that lead to stock options scandals.
re: Spy: The HP WayEvery company deserves fair treatment from journalists. Still, HP really crossed the line here. It's just another example of the erosion of freedom of the press in this country.
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