Former HP chairwoman to be arraigned today

Former Hewlett-Packard Co. Chairwoman Patricia Dunn is scheduled to arraigned today on charges that she directed an illegal investigation into news leaks at the computer maker.

Dunn’s hearing in state court in San Jose was moved up two days, said Tom Dresslar, a spokesman for California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer.

Lockyer brought felony charges last month against Dunn, 53, and four others, accusing them of using illegal tactics to monitor the phone calls of board members and journalists.

As part of the conspiracy charge, prosecutors claimed that Dunn gave private investigators the board members’ home, cellular and office telephone numbers.

Dunn authorized the probe, which used fake identities, or pretexting, to obtain the private call records, and put Hewlett-Packard at the center of a national debate over privacy abuses.

She faces charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, identity theft and illegal use of computer data, each of which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $10,000 or $25,000 fine.

Hewlett-Packard shares rose 45 cents to $40.67.