With an amended complaint that expands the plaintiffs class and adds new, eye-popping harassment claims, the firm seems ever more intent on a replay of its $250 million victory against Novartis last year.

Even a dozen informants with claims about the orthopedic device maker hiding problems from shareholders couldn't provide evidence of scienter and materiality, according to an Indiana judge.

Hewlett Packard is the fifth of eight defendants to settle charges intitiated by whistleblowers Norman Rille and Neal Roberts, who alleged that an alliance of major corporations routinely paid kickbacks to win government contracts. Only one has paid more than HP.

Why does Congress take the position that it doesn't have to recognize the privilege? Plus, a look back at how this issue played out before Congress in 2006.