HP has appointed a new chief ethics officer to replace Kevin Hunsaker whose role in overseeing the morality and legality of snooping on board members ended with his resignation to face criminal charges.

Jon Hoak started as HP's vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer from 11 October. He will be responsible for: "HP's adherence to its Standards of Business Conduct and report to the company's chairman and chief executive officer, Mark Hurd, until a general counsel is named."

Among Hoak's duties, the press release tells us, is to work with Bart Schwartz "to perform an independent assessment of current investigative practices and develop future best practices".

A spokeswoman for the ink and phone tapping specialist told Reuters that the fact Hurd and Hoak "had worked together for more than 10 years greatly shortened the hiring process."

Just to reinforce the point. HP is really telling people that the fact Hurd and Hoak "had worked together for more than 10 years greatly shortened the hiring process."

Read the release here.®

Related stories

• HP escapes fine for boardroom spying scandal (24 May 2007)
• California pitches plea at accused HP probers (19 January 2007)
• HP investigator charged (11 January 2007)
• HP will pay California $14.5m for being naughty (7 December 2006)
• HP results shrug off scandal (17 November 2006)
• Is Hurd's worsening memory a cause for concern? (2 November 2006)
• Fired women of HP heap scorn on the dirty old men (9 October 2006)
• HP criminal charges, Microsoft licensing and Bulgarian airbags (6 October 2006)
• HP's 'ethics' chief emerges as spy scandal star (5 October 2006)
• Crystal balls with HP (5 October 2006)
• HP's head swells as inkjet speed increases (5 October 2006)
• HP spent at least $375,000 on self-destruction (4 October 2006)
• HP hunts for printer consultants (4 October 2006)
• HP whips out its Bulgarian airbags (4 October 2006)