London, November 23, 2025
Hewlett-Packard (HP) has initiated a $1.7 billion civil claim against the estate of Mike Lynch, the late British tech entrepreneur who died in the sinking of the superyacht Bayesian off Sicily in August 2024, over allegations concerning the inflated valuation of Autonomy Corporation prior to HP’s 2011 acquisition.
HP’s civil claim against Lynch’s estate comes after a decade-long legal dispute regarding the 2011 purchase of Autonomy Corporation, founded by Lynch and acquired by HP for $11 billion. Despite Lynch’s acquittal on all criminal fraud charges by a U.S. federal jury in June 2024, HP alleges the financial statements of Autonomy were fraudulently inflated, leading to an overpayment. The civil case now targets Lynch’s estate, which encompasses his assets and holdings within his family.
The Bayesian yacht tragedy occurred on August 19, 2024, when the 184-foot sailing yacht sank near Porticello, Sicily, amid a violent storm. The vessel carried 22 people, including Lynch, his family, friends, and business partners. Seven individuals, including Lynch, his daughter Hannah, and his lawyer Christopher Morvillo, perished. Fifteen others survived, among them Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares.
Investigations into the sinking of the Bayesian are ongoing, with a forensic examination completed after the yacht’s salvage in June 2025. Italian and UK authorities’ interim findings indicate design vulnerabilities made the yacht susceptible to extreme weather conditions. The tragedy has sparked renewed scrutiny over luxury yacht safety standards and maritime risk management.
The HP-Autonomy legal saga has underscored the complexities of high-value tech acquisitions and the challenges of resolving allegations involving multinational corporations and executives. While Lynch’s acquittal in criminal court closed one chapter, HP’s pursuit of civil damages reflects differing legal standards, where negligence or misrepresentation does not require the same level of proof as criminal fraud.
This historic civil claim against Lynch’s estate ranks among the largest against a deceased executive in the technology sector, highlighting prolonged financial and reputational risks associated with corporate acquisitions. The case also illustrates the far-reaching consequences for families and estates caught in the crossfire of high-stakes corporate litigation.
As the legal proceedings continue and the maritime investigation advances, the intertwined narratives of corporate accountability and luxury travel safety remain in the spotlight for business leaders, policymakers, and the broader public alike.