Fisher made the allegation in the same letter she sent to Hurd accusing him of sexual harassment, the Journal reported, citing unnamed sources. That accusation, and a subsequent investigation by HP, led to Hurd's resignation from the company.

HP disclosed the claim of sexual harassment but has never said Hurd was accused of sharing inside information about its acquisition plans with her. Fisher, who is also an actress, worked as a marketing contractor for HP prior to the accusations.

A spokesman for Hurd didn't immediately return a call seeking comment Friday. The spokesman told the Journal the allegations have no substance. "Mark is a very experienced CEO; he knows what he can and can't say" with regard to inside information, the spokesman told the Journal.

An HP spokesman said the company declined to comment. Fisher and her lawyer also declined to comment, according to the Journal.

Fisher claimed in the letter that Hurd told her about HP's plans to buy EDS at an HP event in Madrid in March 2008, a source told the Journal. HP announced its plan to buy EDS two months later.