Aye, but Hurley axed McFadden and/or McFadden left at the end of season one/start of season two. It's a plausible hypothesis that Berman's gaining power forced Hurley out...
Could have been several causes. No publicly acknowledged story has to be correct.
Thanks for this account. I well believe "Conspiracy" was an issue, but I find it hard to believe that Hurley stuck out a whole year after this.
He didn't want to leave. He wanted those he considered to be his rivals gone.