Former Hewlett-Packard Co. Chairman Patricia Dunn surrendered at a Silicon Valley courthouse on Thursday afternoon on felony charges for spying on reporters and company directors.
Superior Court Judge Alfonso Fernandez released Dunn, who is due to start treatment for ovarian cancer on Friday, on her own recognizance after a three-minute hearing.
Dunn sat quietly in the courtroom after arriving about 20 minutes early, speaking a single word, "Yes," when asked if she agreed to return for arraignment on Nov. 17.
Her surrender and appearance in front of the judge is the latest development in a boardroom leak scandal that has tarnished the reputation of a company that has previously championed privacy and aspired to a code that its founders called the "HP Way."
In HP's probes, investigators impersonated company board members, employees and journalists to get their private telephone records.
Dunn, who resigned last month and appeared last week before Congress to testify about the investigation, has said she regrets the way the probe was handled, but does not accept personal responsibility for any deceptive tactics used.
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed charges on Wednesday against Dunn and four other defendants because of tactics used in HP's effort in 2005 and 2006 to find the source of leaks to the media.
Dunn's attorney, Jim Brosnahan, has said that "these charges are being brought against the wrong person at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons" and that they were false.
"They are the culmination of a well-financed and highly orchestrated disinformation campaign," he said.
All five defendants named face four felony charges: conspiracy; fraudulent use of wire, radio or television transmissions; taking, copying and using computer data; and using personal identifying information without authorization. Each count could bring a maximum of three years in prison.
Also charged are former HP ethics officer Kevin Hunsaker and investigators Bryan Wagner, Ronald Delia and Matthew DePante of information supplier Action Research Group.
Hunsaker's attorney, Michael Pancer, said in a statement that his client was not guilty. "Neither Kevin Hunsaker nor HP ever authorized, encouraged, or knew of any unlawful activity," he said.
Hunsaker had declined to speak to Congress, invoking his right not to testify for fear of incriminating himself.
Delia also has said he is innocent and also chose not to testify.
The scandal around the hunt for a boardroom leak that resorted to identity theft has rocked the Silicon Valley icon, but Lockyer has said there currently was no evidence of criminal conduct by Chief Executive Mark Hurd
