The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on pretexting and methods used by company officials at Hewlett-Packard to uncover leaks about corporate business decisions. 

In the first panel called before the committee, witnesses were each asked a specific question about the scandal and each exercised their Fifth Amendment right to not answer. Ann Baskins, who was the company’s top lawyer until she suddenly resigned prior to the hearing that same morning, confirmed her resignation and then respectfully declined to answer questions. 

In following panels Patricia Dunn and others responded to accusations that she aided or condoned a widespread surveillance campaign against HP board of directors, journalists and their families. Ms. Dunn repeatedly said she was not aware of the methods investigators used to obtain personal calling records, and maintained her position after being asked about a memo saying it was “probable” that she had been informed that pretexting -- impersonating people to obtain information -- was necessary to acquire phone records. Chief executive Mark Hurd assumed more responsibility while denying knowledge of possible illegal tactics. He admitted that his lack of involvement contributed to an investigation that overreached and damaged the company’s reputation.

During the course of the hearing members interrupted Ms. Dunn, Mr. Adler and Mr. Sonsini and questioned management practices that led the company into behaviors such as sending false information to a reporter, sitting outside of journalists' and board members' homes, and impersonating people to obtain private phone records.