The Associated Press

DAYTON, Ohio - About 740 files were erased from the personal laptop computer of DPL Inc.'s chairman days after investigators asked managers to keep documents related to a review of the utility's finances and executives' compensation, an investigators' report said.

The files were deleted from the computer of DPL Chairman Peter Forster in April using "scrubbing" software, according to the report by Cincinnati law firm Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, which was hired by DPL to conduct the review. (Scrubbing software is designed to erase files more completely than the operating system does, foiling attempts to retrieve them.)

The firm's 58-page report to DPL's board did not make clear who erased the material.

Forster's attorney told investigators that Forster had downloaded a free trial version of the software he had learned about through an Internet "pop-up" advertisement, the report said.

Messages seeking comment left Tuesday with Forster, his attorney and the Cincinnati law firm were not immediately returned.

DPL is the parent company of Dayton Power and Light Co., which serves about 500,000 customers in western Ohio. DPL had 2003 sales of $1.19 billion.

The audit committee hired Taft on March 17 to investigate concerns raised in a memo by DPL Controller Daniel L. Thobe after he declined to sign off on DPL's 2003 annual report.

While the Taft firm had several criticisms of Forster and other top executives, it found no material inaccuracies in the company's books and financial statements.

"The report is receiving thorough and serious consideration by the audit committee," the firm said in a statement. "With respect to certain areas where the inquiry found fault or raised questions, the committee will consider responses from the individuals involved and then make final recommendations to the board."

DPL has delayed filing its annual report and its first-quarter earnings report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, citing the ongoing investigation.