HP execs arraigned on criminal charges

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL of California filed criminal charges against HP ex-chairwoman Patricia Dunn, and also against an "ethics" pleader who formerly worked for HP called Kevin Hunsacker and three other "outside" private dicks.

Patricia Dunn and others are charged with felonies under Californian law, so could face time in clink, if convicted.

CEO Mark Hurd has not been charged with any crime, although the allegations cover some of the time he was the chief exec on the watch. Many expect him to resign because of the stink that followed the so-called "leak inquiry".

Other charges against other HP people and people that have resigned from HP may well follow. A number of investigations at the federal and stock market level are continuing. For a company that prided itself on its so-called "ethics" this is truly astonishing. What would be more astonishing is if Mark Hurd can stay on. The buck does stop with him. µ