HP CEO Fights To Keep Letter Private

Former Hewlett-Packard Co. Chief Executive Officer Mark Hurd wants to keep a letter that he says describes his relationship with a contractor under seal.

Hurd resigned in August after allegations that he sexually harassed a contractor, Jodie Fisher. Hurd and Fisher both maintained they did not have a sexual relationship, but an investigation by HP found that company standards were violated.

Bloomberg reports that Hurd is asking that a letter that describes his relationship be kept under seal while he appeals a decision to file a redacted version. If Hurd loses his appeal the redacted version could be made public as early as March 28.

Hurd's appeal is part of a shareholder lawsuit filed by Ernesto Espinoza, who is seeking access to company records. Espinoza wants access to the letter and an internal report prepared for the HP board by the law firm Covington & Burling LLP. Espinoza has said in court documents that HP's board wrongly granted Hurd a $40 million severance package, rather than simply fire him without offering any money at all.

Hurd is arguing that the letter is personal and he should therefore have a say in what, if anything, in that letter is made public. Hurd and Fisher eventually reached a settlement. Hurd is currently co-president of Oracle.