Questions Surround Fiorina's Involvement In HP Bribery Scandal

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Questions Surround Fiorina's Involvement In HP Bribery Scandal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/carly-fiorina-scandal-que_n_539769.html

An investigation into Hewlett Packards business practices and alleged bribery scandal involving Russian officials has raised questions as to Carly Fiorina's involvement, and the subsequent implications for her Senatorial bid.

The AP reports:

Three people who once worked for Hewlett-Packard Co. were arrested in an investigation of alleged kickbacks totaling euro8 million ($10.9 million) surrounding a deal to sell equipment to Russian authorities, German prosecutors said Thursday.

The three were arrested in Germany and Switzerland in December and later freed on bail, said Wolfgang Klein, a spokesman for prosecutors in Dresden. He did not give their nationalities or other details, but said at least two of them no longer work for HP.

U.S. authorities are also apparently investigating, as HP issued a statement to say it was cooperating with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC declined comment Thursday.

German officials say a total of nine people are under investigation in the case, but Hewlett-Packard itself is not being investigated and is believed to have been a victim.

The six others did not work for HP but allegedly were involved in handling a euro35 million deal to deliver computers, software and hardware to the Russian prosecutors' office.

The contract for that deal was signed in 2000, and the deliveries continued until 2006 or 2007, Klein said.

[malaise]

1. Oops!

Couldn't happen to a nicer person.