2006年VOA标准英语-Hewlett-Packard Chair Resigns But Threat of Cri

By Mil Arcega
Washington, DC
14 September 2006
 
watch HP Chair Resigns

Hewlett-Packard Chairwoman Patricia Dunn says she is stepping down because of a corporate¹ spying scandal. The computer and printer company allegedly conducted an illegal probe into media leaks.  The scandal already has prompted two resignations and company insiders could face criminal charges. 

---

Patricia Dunn (File photo)   
  
Hewlett-Packard chairwoman Patricia Dunn acknowledged she authorized² the private investigation³ that has plunged⁴ her company into turmoil⁵.  Dunn defended her actions but apologized for the techniques that were used to determine who was leaking company secrets to the media. 

Wall Street Journal reporter Joann Lublin says investigators⁷ hired by H.P. allegedly impersonated board members and reporters to obtain information. "Board members got spied on.  And their phone records were pried⁸ loose without their knowledge."

 
Terry Lenzner
  
Using fake identification to obtain information is called "pretexting." Private investigator⁶ Terry Lenzner says it should not have been done. "One of the standard rules is, if you get information that you can't use because the methodology you used to obtain it is too revolting to a judge or jury, then don't do it."

Bill Lockyer   
  
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer says, not only is it unethical, it's also illegal.  He warns charges are likely against company insiders and contractors⁹. "If it wasn't illegal, it was colossally¹⁰ stupid and I think people are offended."

Dunn said she was angry about leaks of confidential¹¹ board discussions. She will step down as chairman in January but will remain as a board director.  

 
Rob Enderle 
  
Technology analyst¹² Rob Enderle believes Dunn acted in the best interest for the company. "The end result was the buck¹³ stopped at her desk and she did what was best for the company which is, I think, historically consistent with what she's done so far.  She's been one of the board members who drove through the changes that brought H.P. up to the level where it currently is."

A 21-year board member who admitted leaking information to reporters also has resigned.  The probe is expected to widen as federal agents join the investigation.  The California attorney general says it may file charges in about a week.

1 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

2 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

3 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

4 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

5 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

6 investigator   

n.研究者，调查者，审查者

参考例句：

• He was a special investigator for the FBI.他是联邦调查局的特别调查员。
• The investigator was able to deduce the crime and find the criminal.调查者能够推出犯罪过程并锁定罪犯。

7 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 pried   

v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的过去式和过去分词 )；撬开

参考例句：

• We pried open the locked door with an iron bar. 我们用铁棍把锁着的门撬开。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• So Tom pried his mouth open and poured down the Pain-killer. 因此汤姆撬开它的嘴，把止痛药灌下去。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

9 contractors   

n.（建筑、监造中的）承包人( contractor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We got estimates from three different contractors before accepting the lowest. 我们得到3个承包商的报价后，接受了最低的报价。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Contractors winning construction jobs had to kick back 2 per cent of the contract price to the mafia. 赢得建筑工作的承包商得抽出合同价格的百分之二的回扣给黑手党。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 colossally   

参考例句：

• After making all those colossally dumb loans, financial institutions are now punishing you for their sins. 在放出了那些数额巨大的愚蠢的贷款后，现在金融机构正在因为他们的过失而惩罚你。 来自互联网

11 confidential   

adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的

参考例句：

• He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
• We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。

12 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

13 buck   

n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃

参考例句：

• The boy bent curiously to the skeleton of the buck.这个男孩好奇地弯下身去看鹿的骸骨。
• The female deer attracts the buck with high-pitched sounds.雌鹿以尖声吸引雄鹿。