I noticed this update, yesterday, and then got distracted with upcoming Posts. It’s too early to email an awake John Dvorak — we do live in different time zones. Rather than mess with updating his last Post on this debacle, I’ll just put this here and let John sort it out when he gets his first coffee:

Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Tuesday Chairman Patricia Dunn will step down on January 18, 2007, after coming under fire for ordering a controversial board investigation into boardroom leaks to the media.

Chief Executive and President Mark Hurd will succeed Dunn as chairman, as well as retain his existing positions. Dunn will continue to serve on the board as a director.

The shake-up came after HP’s board conferred for hours in emergency meetings on Sunday and Monday to grapple with the widening scandal, which has sparked an inquiry by California’s attorney general that could result in criminal liability for identity theft and illegally accessing database information.

On Monday, federal prosecutors said they were also looking into the matter.

“Somehow enough control was not exerted” during the investigation process, said Cowen & Co. analyst Louis Miscioscia. “Someone has to be held responsible. The logical person would be the one who is in charge.”