Resigning from Hewlett-Packard is proving to be very difficult for former CEO Mark Hurd. Recall that he was forced to step down in the wake of the scandal involving alleged inappropriate conduct with a contractor, with whom he reached a private settlement negotiated by Gloria Allred. But the drama continues.

A judge in Delaware Chancery Court will make a ruling soon on whether an 8-page letter currently under seal should be made public. This figures in a shareholder suit filed over the departure of Hurd. The letter led directly to his departure and may contain some interesting details that have not yet come to light.

Hurd's legal team has avowed that the letter is riddled with inaccuracies. Apart from possible salacious details and accusations, it may shed light on whether Hurd shared material nonpublic information with her, and whether he advised her not to trade on this.

Media reports suggest the letter says Hurd told the accuser in March 2008 about H-P's plans to buy EDS. The deal was announced two months later.

For Hurd, this is making the transition to his new job at Oracle very hard. This is more baggage than his new employer bargained for. This might also provide support for those who argued that Hurd was denied due process when he was forced out of H-P.

For more:
- here's a Reuters article

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