As Former Top Exec Heads to Oracle, H-P Sues re Alleged Noncompete Breach
Hewlett-Packard didn’t want Mark Hurd to continue working there as chief executive office, following claimed expense account irregularities concerning a personal relationship with a female employee.
But neither did the business computer and software manufacturer want Hurd to take a job as co-president of one of its biggest competitors, Oracle.
Today, as the dust is still settling from Hurd’s departure from H-P, the company sued him in California state court contending that he had breached his contract by taking a job in which Oracle could benefit from his intimate knowledge of H-P, reports the New York Times.
Hewlett-Packard allegedly paid Hurd some $35 million in severance in exchange for confidentiality agreements, explains the Digits blog of the Wall Street Journal.
It also provides a link to the lawsuit (PDF).
Filed by Camille Olson and Robert Milligan of Seyfarth Shaw, as lead counsel, and the Office of Allen Ruby, in California, the Santa Clara County suit seeks injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
