HP leak probe investigator charged with ID theft

One of the private investigators hired to ferret out the source of a news leak at HP has been charged with federal identity theft and conspiracy.

Bryan Wagner is accused of masquerading as an unidentified journalist in order to obtain the reporter's private phone records, according to a copy of a criminal complaint filed in US District Court of the Northern District of California.

Wagner, along with Patricia Dunn, the former chairman of HP, and three others have already been charged in California with four felonies, including identity theft.

Wagner could not be reached for comment on Wednesday night.

Tasked with finding out who among HP's board of directors was leaking information to the media, the five are accused of obtaining private records belonging to HP employees, board members and journalists through false pretences.

Wagner, who faces a maximum seven-year prison sentence, is the only one of the five to be charged with federal crimes.

Calls to the US Attorney's Office in San Francisco were not returned on Wednesday.

Greg Sandoval writes for CNET News.com