Woman in HP scandal steps forward

SAN JOSE, Calif. – A 50-year-old marketing consultant and sometime actress who appeared in a handful of steamy films and a short-lived reality TV series came forward Sunday as the woman at the center of the scandal that brought down former Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd.

Jodie Fisher, who also has worked in real estate and sales, said in a statement from Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred that she has resolved her claim against Hurd privately, and reiterated that she and Hurd did not have an affair or any sexual relationship.

“I was surprised and saddened that Mark Hurd lost his job over this. That was never my intention,” the woman added.

Hurd resigned unexpectedly on Friday after HP officials said they had investigated a sexual harassment complaint from the woman, who worked as a contract employee on marketing projects for the chief executive’s office.

HP officials said their investigation found the sexual harassment complaint “was not supported by the facts.” But the company said it found instances in which Hurd submitted false expense reports for meals and travel, as well as instances in which the woman received payment for which there was not a legitimate business purpose.

Representatives of both Hurd and HP said they would have no comment on Fisher’s statement.