Jodie Fisher

Mark Hurd the former CEO of HP has stepped down from his position in the wake of a sexual harassment claim. This makes sense in some ways, like maybe he’s trying to save his marriage, but in other ways it leaves me completely perplexed.

Of course when Jodie Fisher sued she went to Gloria Allred, I’m pretty sure I’d call her if I had a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Here’s what’s interesting. The AP wire says:

Fisher echoed Hurd’s statement that the two never had a sexual relationship, but neither she nor her lawyer, celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, would discuss details of the harassment claim.

That claim set off the chain of events that led to the discovery of allegedly falsified expense reports for dinners Hurd had with Fisher and ended in Hurd’s forced resignation Friday from the world’s largest technology company.

Fisher acknowledged that she and Hurd have settled the matter. A person familiar with the case told The Associated Press that Hurd agreed to pay Fisher but would not reveal the size of the payment.

Which still makes no sense. Did Fisher get mad when Hurd was using her name on expense reports? Was Fisher part of a plan to defraud HP? Do a few dinners even matter?

The AP goes on to say:

The investigation by HP’s board of directors found that Hurd listed other people as his dinner partners on expense reports when he’d been out with Fisher. HP also claimed Hurd arranged for her to be paid for work she didn’t do.

Maybe the best defense is a good offense? Maybe Fisher was worried that she’s be in trouble for taking money for work she didn’t do? I don’t know if that’s a crime, but certainly it’s unethical, and certainly it would keep people from hiring you.

I don’ t see this as an HP issue, but I’m calling bullshit on the news reports. There’s more here than what meets the eye.