Connecticut Probes Digital Firings

Jay Walker, founder of Priceline.com Inc. and other Internet companies, is under investigation in Connecticut for possible employment law violations, state Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal said. Walker is being queried about allegations that he did not provide proper notice when 100 workers were fired at closely held Walker Digital on Nov. 20, he said. Under Connecticut law, companies with 100 or more employees must give 60 days’ notice when laying off more than a third of their staff. The company may be liable for severance or back pay, Blumenthal said. About 25 people remain at the company’s headquarters in Stamford, Conn. Walker Digital develops Internet technology and made the “name-your-own-price” software used by Priceline.com.