[kmlevitt]

Right but if the true issue was with a major and unambiguously bad transgression by Sam and Sam alone (e.g., there was a major leak of data and he lied about it, etc), why would they go after his ally as well? It makes the whole thing look more political rather than a principled “we had no choice“ reaction to a wrongdoing.

[jlpom]

It's possible that he may have defended him enough that the board did no longer entrust him to remain on it.