REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. has fired its chief information officer, saying he violated company policies, but a spokesman declined to give the exact reason for the dismissal.

"Stuart Scott's employment with Microsoft was terminated after an investigation for violation of company policies," said Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos, reading from a company statement Tuesday.

Gellos said Scott was dismissed Friday. He would not elaborate further.

According to Microsoft's Web site, Scott was responsible for the information technology infrastructure at the world's largest software maker. He reported to Kevin Turner, Microsoft's chief operating officer, who in turn reports directly to Chief Exeuctive Officer Steve Ballmer.

Scott joined Microsoft in 2005, after 17 years at General Electric Co., according to Microsoft.

Gellos said Alain Crozier, a corporate vice president who also reports to Turner, and Shahla Aly, a general manager in the services group, will take over his duties until a replacement is found.