http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/21/nhedgie121.xml
......
The document alleges that:
- Employees of the hedge fund ordered an American-based private detective to hack into the corporate email systems of two firms in which the hedge fund had an interest.
- A bogus firm — with a phoney internet address — was established to allow employees to pose as independent researchers and approach company executives to garner information on their firms' future financial prospects. The firm was also used to gain access to industry conferences.
- A false website — with a bogus address — was also registered to allow hedge fund traders to pose as journalists. The offices of American politicians were approached by people claiming to be journalists to obtain information about potential new laws banning internet gambling that would hit British firms.
- Jurors and their families in a sensitive legal case into whether a firm had exclusive patent rights in which the hedge fund had invested were "tapped up". Money was allegedly paid to jurors' families for information about jury-room deliberations.
- Hedge fund staff gathered "sensitive" negative information on firms in which they had an interest in the share price falling. This information was distributed to leading investment banks whose experts were encouraged to take a dim view of the prospects of the company's shares. A German "media consultant" was also used to disseminate information.
- A safe containing large amounts of cash was installed in the hedge fund's office. Money was paid to "sources" providing valuable inside information. On one occasion, an anonymous informant was paid $50,000.
.....
The hedge fund at the centre of the allegations has offices in London's West End and traders spent their staff Christmas party on a luxury cruise...
