pause for thought that he's sticking to his story, making the cardinal sin of being the story, he cant make this go away its only making it worse. so there is a possibility he didnt view anything? bit odd, but a possibility. it could be that others in his office use the laptop for admin...
its dodgy, an HR matter really. the denial is probably worse than the offense. and, maybe overlooked, the breach of confidence from the copper reporting it.