Old allegations of spying could haunt News Corp. in U.S.

[cal04]

Even though lawsuits have been settled, that wouldn't prevent the government from revisiting such allegations in investigations of possible phone hacking in America.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-news-corp-20110730,0,6353448.story

As British lawmakers and Scotland Yard investigate allegations of illegal phone hacking by News Corp. and its now-closed News of the World tabloid, old accusations of corporate espionage made against the media giant in the United States could receive new attention in the weeks ahead.

Over the last decade, several lawsuits against units of News Corp. alleged corporate espionage — specifically, hacking into computer systems of business rivals to gain competitive information. In some cases, the companies that filed claims were acquired by News Corp. and the suits went away.

Most of these cases are likely past the time when legal action could be brought, but these allegations could provide a hook for a fishing expedition by the government to determine whether hacking was limited to News Corp.'s British tabloid or part of the broader corporate culture.

"They absolutely will look at past conduct," said Rebecca Lonergan, a former prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office who teaches at USC's Gould School of Law. She said past behavior is a factor that the government would consider in determining whether a criminal investigation is merited and to show a corrupt corporate culture.

[midnight]

1. K&R

[sabrina 1]

2. I'd love to think that Ms Lonergan is right and that

they would look at 'ast behavior' to determine whether a criminal investitation is merited. But isn't our new philosophy to 'look forward, not backward' now?

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cal.

[libodem]

4. Certainly a Culture of Corruption