Hewlett-Packard investigator charged with identity theft
Bryan Wagner, the investigator contracted by Hewlett-Packard to help find the source of information leaks, has been charged in federal court with crimes of aggravated [tag]identity theft[/tag] and [tag]conspiracy[/tag]. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The identity theft carries a penalty of up to 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
While working for Action Search Group, Wagner is alleged to have obtained the names, addresses, Social Security numbers, telephone call logs, and telephone records of the HP board members and reporters. He is further accused of using a reporter’s Social Security number to create an online account to get the reporter’s telephone records.
In November, the former CEO of HP, Patricia Dunn, was charged in state court with four felonies related to the spying scandal. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of: using false or fraudulent pretenses to obtain confidential information from a public utility, wrongful use of computer data, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit each of those crimes.
The charges stem from her alleged orders to have an investigator identify the board members who may have leaked information from their private meetings to the press. Also charged with the same crimes are Kevin Hunsaker, a former senior lawyer for HP, Ronald DeLia, a private detective, and Bryan Wagner.
