Former HP executive Atul Malhotra has pleaded guilty to stealing trade secrets, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Malhotra, a former VP of imaging and printing services at HP, is said to have shared IBM trade secrets after joining HP from IBM in May 2006.

Malhotra faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and a three-year term of supervised release.

Sentencing in the case is set for October 29, 2008.