SEC Opens Inquiry Into HP's Ex-CEO Hurd

Mark Hurd's bad days tend to be worse than the dry cleaner losing your shirt: The SEC now wants in on reports that HP's ex-CEO leaked details of a $14 billion merger to the woman he stands accused of sexually harassing. You know, the one that cost him his job. It's not clear how far along the inquiry is, and the Wall Street Journal reports that Hurd may not face SEC action. But the commission is also looking into inaccurate expense reports Hurd filed and reports that he destroyed evidence related to his ouster in August.

"Mark acted properly in all respects," says a Hurd spokesman. "It is understandable that the SEC is looking into the events surrounding Mark's departure, which was followed by a precipitous drop in the value of H-P's stock."