I know this is the internet and all, but it would be prudent not to cast aspersions about executives having an "affair" when the fact was that Hurd left for other reasons.
Beyond things that a company would approve of, just what were these payments for? (...something beyond payments for sex, or payments not to talk about having had sex?)
Note that payments "to her" is different than saying payments "for meals" mentioned elsewhere. (obviously those would go to the restaurant, not her)
If it would make anyone feel better, there are affairs that are non sexual.
The WSJ had this on the amount: "One person familiar with the matter said the questionable expense reports totaled no more than around $20,000."
A bit much for dinner? Do HP stockholders have a right to know what that was spent on?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870330970457541...
Hurd left because of unethical behavior which many would interpret as evidence he was having an affair.
HP didn't have overwhelming evidence of an affair (and an act isn't necessarily grounds for termination) but the world already a preponderance of evidence. I don't think Mark Hurd is going to be starting any civil cases on the subject any time soon.
Hurd left because of a sexual harassment case where a contractor (Jodie Fisher) claimed that she stopped getting work after turning down his sexual advances. According to both parties, no affair existed.
So while there is good evidence that he wanted an affair, there is no evidence he had one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/technology/07oracle.html?_...
... The original post, btw, simply said Hurd had an affair, neither it nor I say he was fired for having an affair...