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Angry HP Board Says Hurd Deal Undermined Probe

Sex harass deal impeded talks

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 16, 2010 5:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Hewlett-Packard board ousted former CEO Mark Hurd not because of sexual harassment charges against him, but because the board felt he went behind its back to settle with the woman who made the charges. Board members thought Hurd's deal with former actress and HP management consultant Jodie Fisher botched their own internal probe of the case, adding to directors' mistrust of him, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Hurd settled with Fisher the night before a planned mediation session between Fisher, her lawyer, and lawyers for HP and Hurd. HP directors were left feeling short-circuited, said a source close to the board said. But a source close to Hurd countered that in the weeks before the settlement, board members had urged him to settle with Fisher before the mediation session.

Mark Hurd reached a sex harassment settlement with actress Jodie Fisher the night before Hewlitt-Packard officials planned a mediation session with her.
Mark Hurd reached a sex harassment settlement with actress Jodie Fisher the night before Hewlitt-Packard officials planned a mediation session with her.   (Getty Images)
Hewlett-Packard Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd.
Hewlett-Packard Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd.   (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 3 comments
janbee
Aug 16, 2010 8:09 AM CDT
Jodie Fisher is and was nothing more than a "Dinner Whore" -- the promotional marketing industry is a $110 billion industry.dominated by firms like Omnicom Group. A Marketing Co. may hire a PM Agency to execute events ranging from parties at a Presidential Inauguration all the way down to your grandmother toasting nd handing out samples of Pop-Tarts at Wal-Mart...........ever get handed a product sample and card as you left a commuter rail car -- same thing. The typical way someone advances in the PMI is by starting out by doing guerrilla events as a sampler, or interning while in college doing any job available -- those willing to give something for nothing are in a position to land a staff job by being in the right place at the right time -- It's not the most professional business -- so sleeping with the right person -- works too. Fast-Forward, how Jodie Fisher elevated herself to a $5-k/event job is the big question. I searched her name the internet and aside from her demo reel -- not much to support her being called a "management consultant". Even her legitimate acting roles in infomercials clearly look like those better days had passed her long....long....ago. Stay tuned for the truth to eventually trickle out. Someone, besides these 2 principles know another version of this story.
cementhead
Aug 16, 2010 6:46 AM CDT
It's always amazing to me that men who are bright enough to rise-up the corporate ladder all the way to the top, can't recognize one of those gold digging, opportunistic units on sight. That woman might as well be waving a placard that reads "pick me and really get freak'n nailed." Any woman who shows up in a work environment all bimboed-out like Pamela Anderson is trouble..... FOR SURE !!!!!!!! One tiny peg above an outright hooker !!!! Hurd would do well to remember the mantra that retiring rich guys hand down to the aspiring "If it flies floats or fucks.......RENT IT !!!!!"

 
sexual harassment • settlement • Gloria Allred • Mark Hurd • Hewlett-Packard • Mark Hurd resigns • Jodie Fisher • Jodie Fisher Mark Hurd

 
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