HP Sued In Boardroom Surveillance Scheme

Journalists And Family Members Say Hewlett-Packard's Conduct Was "Illegal And Reprehensible"

(AP)  A group of reporters and their family members whose private telephone records were secretly obtained as part of Hewlett-Packard Co.'s boardroom surveillance scheme sued the technology giant and two former executives Wednesday, claiming they engaged in "illegal and reprehensible conduct" and are liable for damages.

Five separate lawsuits were filed in San Francisco Superior Court against Hewlett-Packard, the world's No. 1 seller of PCs worldwide, as well as former Chairwoman Patricia Dunn and Kevin Hunsaker, the ethics chief.

Both executives were ousted last year because of their roles in HP's probe of unauthorized leaks to the media. The probe turned into a national scandal for HP and led to criminal investigations and congressional hearings over investigators' use of Social Security numbers and other personal information to trick phone companies into handing over confidential call logs.

The plaintiffs include three reporters from online media company CNET Networks Inc.'s News.com — Dawn Kawamoto, Stephen Shankland and Tom Krazit — and one reporter from The Associated Press — Rachel Konrad. Other plaintiffs are Kawamoto's husband, Jon Kawamoto, and Shankland's parents, Thomas and Rebecca Shankland.

The lawsuits allege invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and engaging in unfair business practices. They seek unspecified damages and a jury trial.

"We're filing the lawsuits to make sure this never happens again," said Kevin Boyle, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs.

An HP spokesman did not immediately return a call by The Associated Press for comment.