HP CEO and chairman Mark Hurd resigned suddenly Friday after admitting to falsifying expenses.
The misstated expenses, totaling between $1,000 and $20,000, came to light during an investigation into a sexual harassment claim by actress Jodie Fisher.
The investigation found that Hurd had not violated HP’s sexual harassment policy but that he had breached its standards of business conduct by filing false expense statements to cover a “close personal relationship” with Fisher, who had worked on HP customer events.
“As the investigation progressed, I realized there were instances in which I did not live up to the standards and principles of trust, respect and integrity that I have espoused at HP,” Hurd said in a statement.
The company did not identify Fisher, but she came forward to tell the New York Times that she was “surprised and saddened” by Hurd’s departure. “That was never my intention.”
Fisher’s lawyer denied that she had had a sexual relationship with Hurd.