Newsweek US Sept. 18, 2006 issue

Suspicions and Spies in Silicon Valley

By David A. Kaplan

In a business saga, how Pattie Dunn's obsession with trying to root out the source of press reports ended with the covert tracking of directors' phone records.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14736379/site/newsweek/

When I first read this news, I was shocked about it because the people involved, i.e., Pattie Dunn, are the least likely of anyone whom I have known in my life to carry out spying activity of an illegal nature which is implied in this article and has resulted in investigations initiated by state and federal agencies as well as a Congressional committee.

I knew Pattie Dunn and her husband, Bill Janhke, when they were employed at Wells Fargo Investment Advisers (WFIA) and lived though extreme corporate disruptive behaviour at that time which occurred in 1982 and 1983 both in my personal situation, at WFIA and at other organisations. This was a time of turmoil.

I had an extensive professional relationship with WFIA who was one of, if not the, leading quantitative investment management firm and index fund pioneer in the US who was also at the forefront of computer technology utilisation. Julie Rohrer wrote an article about what occurred at WFIA for Institutional Investor magazine c 1983. Although I never did get an opportunity to read this article at that time, I heard that it was quite well done which was consistent with her outstanding research and writing. I'm still waiting to find a back issue of this magazine in a library somewhere to read her article.

I primarily dealt with other people, but as events unravelled a that time, I met Senior Vice President Bill Janhke and his wife, Pattie Dunn, both of whom worked at WFIA. I had the utmost respect for the organisation and its people. As the disruptions unfolded at that time, this was borne out by the conduct of those involved revealed by the integrity they manifested in what amounted to a complete disruption to their professional lives some of whom went out and started from scratch all over again.

Knowing the character of these people during this time of extremes and the standards they maintained, I find it difficult to believe otherwise of Pattie Dunn in this situation. I was shocked when I read the headlines for this press coverage and vowed to study the public information as closely as possible to try to understand what was really happening. The above article is a worthwhile and quite revealing overview of the situation and character of those involved.

I must admit that I was shattered when I read about her struggles with various cancers recurring during this period since 2000. She can only rank as one of the more amazing and resilient people in this world who had no reason to behave other than in a manner consistent with her dedication to do the best job possible in what appears to be the most adverse set of circumstances possible.

I can empathise with her and understand the situation since I have gone through a similar pattern of events with cancer and dealing with extreme corporate maladministration and abuse. Facing one's mortality creates a foundation of integrity which one does not violate. There is no expediency or living for another day a some time in the future. The present is all important, and I did not do anything other than the best job in the best way that could be done at that time.

I do not understand Pattie Dunn behaving any differently. That is why I not only support her but will also explore this in as great detail as the public documentation will permit to see if I can shed any further light on the reality of what is taking place especially due to the fact of my being subjected to totally invasive surveillance technology 24/7 now for over eight years since August 1998.

It must be understood that those who have dealt with cancer and all the discriminatory abuse which it entails as well as the life threatening aspect of the disease engage in straightforward, honest behaviour and have little patience for those who manipulate for their own corrupt self interest. It's a character revealing experience, and those with ability have little else to do except live that ability to the fullest along with a appreciation and commitment to life for everyone that is not subject to interference, disruption and destruction. I believe that Pattie Dunn's experience must be measured against this element which I've learned directly to be what has been my standard all these decades now of survival after a life threatening experience.