Online Journalists Sue H-P

Internet-based reporters caught up in the Hewlett-Packard pretexting scandal have filed suit against the computer maker claiming invasion of privacy.

One Associated Press reporter and three CNet.com reporters, all of whose phone records were scrutinized by HP investigators, filed suit in state court in San Francisco on Wednesday, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Family members of two of the CNet.com reporters are also named as plaintiffs. The suits allege the HP investigators improperly obtained the phone records and misrepresented themselves to phone companies.

The suits were expected and are part of the continuing fallout over what began as an internal investigation of leaks to the media.