Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd resigned from his post on August 6 amid allegations of possible sexual harassment and falsified expenses. The decision set off a litany of criticism and questions from the media and shareholders about why HP would release such a financially successful CEO and whether the company was being fully honest.

Corporations are often criticized for not being transparent, and HP has a history riddled with secrets and controversy, including a boardroom investigation scandal and a congressional inquiry into ...