Disney: Naughton not our employee
The FBI arrested Naughton late Thursday on charges in connection with using Internet chat and e-mail to solicit a minor. As executive vice president for products, Naughton oversaw the software development efforts for Infoseek and the GO Network portal site.
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"Patrick's responsibilities did not touch on the content," she said. All those sites are managed by executives who work directly for Disney.
Anderson also said Disney does not expect the incident to affect the company's announced plans to acquire the 57 percent of Infoseek (Nasdaq:SEEK) it does not already own.
Infoseek 'shocked and disturbed'
Meanwhile, Infoseek officials were remaining mum, except to issue a brief, formal statement.
"We want to be clear that behavior of this nature is inappropriate and unacceptable by Infoseek and GO Network."
Naughton was arrested on Friday and released after posting a $100,000 appearance bond; he has been formally charged with interstate travel with the intention of having sex with a minor. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. He faces arraignment Oct. 12.