Google is seeking advice from ex-investment banker Frank Quattrone as part of a review of its strategy, sources close to the matter have revealed.While the search engine firm has refused to discuss the reports, it is thought that the move may be related to the proposed takeover of Yahoo! by Microsoft.
Mr Quattrone rose to prominence during the 1990s as the technology boom gained momentum, underwriting a number of hi-tech initial public offerings, Reuters reports.
However, he was later accused of suspect stock dealings by US federal prosecutors and spent several years attempting to clear his name in court, with a second trial resulting in a previous conviction being overturned.
He is now part of a new investment banking organisation called Qatalyst, which specialises in providing merger and finance advice to technology firms.
Google chief executive Eric Schmidt commented on the launch of Qatalyst last month, stating that it was an "important development" for the sector.
"I look forward to working with him again and am very enthusiastic about Qatalyst's prospects for success," he added.
The move comes shortly after Yahoo! announced that it is to undertake a limited test of Google's AdSense for Search service, which will allow Google ads to be placed next to Yahoo! search results and will apply only US Yahoo.com traffic.
According to sources, the trial could be part of an attempt to forge a three-way alliance to encourage a merger between Yahoo! and Time Warner-owned AOL.
