Washington, D.C.

Microsoft probe points to Silicon Valley firm

The investigation into the illegal disclosure of blueprints for some versions of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows software has turned to a small technology company in Silicon Valley that works closely with Microsoft.

Self-appointed sleuths eager to solve the mystery found references inside files accompanying the leaked Windows blueprints indicating that Mainsoft Corp. of San Jose had been working with the computer code before it began circulating on the Internet.

Microsoft has provided Mainsoft access to parts of its Windows blueprints since at least 1994 under conditions that generally prohibit the company from disclosing them to others.

In a statement Friday, Mainsoft Chairman Mike Gullard pledged to cooperate fully with Microsoft and U.S. authorities investigating the breach.

Ohio

Trial set in claim of lost lottery ticket

A woman who claimed she lost a winning $162 million Mega Millions lottery ticket withdrew her plea of no contest on a charge that she made up the story she had told police.

Elecia Battle changed her plea to not guilty Thursday in South Euclid Municipal Court and will have a jury trial, authorities said Friday.

Battle, 40, of Cleveland, had entered the plea of no contest Jan. 15 to a charge of filing a false police report. The plea was not an admission of guilt but meant Battle would not fight the charge punishable by one to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.

Battle had been found guilty by Judge Patricia Ann Kleri after the no contest plea was entered, and she was to have been sentenced next week. Now, with the plea withdrawn, a pretrial hearing would be scheduled for sometime in March, officials said.