Comptroller Requests Probe Into Wal-Mart

New York City's comptroller has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department to investigate whether Wal-Mart illegally spied on some of its shareholders.

The request by William Thompson Jr. follows a string of allegations by a fired Wal-Mart security operative that the giant retailer had wide-ranging surveillance operations against employees, critics, suppliers, consultants and shareholders expected to challenge some of the company's policies at an annual meeting.

Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley declined to comment yesterday on Mr. Thompson's action.

In a letter faxed to shareholders last week, Wal-Mart denied allegations by the fired operative in the Wall Street Journal that the retailer was targeting shareholders for surveillance.