Autonomy Issues 

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- Jul 2025. After additional submissions and hearings, the U.K. High Court rules that Lynch's estimated $700 million estate owes HPE $940 million. (Lynch personally made an estimated $800 million from the 2011 sale.) Guardian  Official Summary  Full Ruling  [No doubt will be appealed.]

Summary of key events -- as of Jul 22, 2025:

- Sep 2010. HP board hires Léo Apotheker (formerly co-CEO of software giant SAP.)

- Aug 2011. Apotheker announced plan to divest PC business. Drove HP's purchase of Autonomy for £5.44 billion ($10 billion.) A 79% premium over the market price before announcement. Little time for due diligence. Opposed by HP CFO due to price.

- Sep 2011. HP board replaces Apotheker with Meg Whitman.

- Nov 2012. HP writes off $8.8 billion, linking $5 billion to Autonomy.

- Jun 2014. HP settles shareholder lawsuits related to Autonomy acquisition.

- Mar 2015. HP sues former Autonomy CEO Mike Lynch in the UK.

- Apr 2018. A U.S. federal jury convicts former Autonomy CFO Sushovan Hussain of fraud. Sentenced to 5 years in prison. [Now out of prison.]

- Sep 2020. The U.K. Financial Reporting Council fines Autonomy's auditor Deloitte £15 million -- and fines two Deloitte partners as individuals. UK FRC

- May 2022. After a 93-day trial over nine months, the U.K. High Court rules in favor of HP in the civil suit against Mike Lynch. Ruling on damages pending.

- Jun 2024. A U.S. federal jury finds Autonomy CEO Mike Lynch -- and Autonomy Finance VP Stephen Chamberlain -- not guilty of wire fraud.

- Aug 2024. Lynch's 184-ft superyacht capsizes in a storm on a celebratory cruise in the Mediterranean. Guests included the lawyer who led the US criminal defense and his wife; the former Autonomy board member who led the Audit Committee, and his wife; Lynch's daughter. Yacht owned in name of Lynch's wife, who survived. Another lawyer, her child, and her partner survived. Nine of ten crew survived. The yacht had the world's tallest aluminum sailboat mast. Investigation continues. Charter Fleet  

- Aug 2024. Autonomy Finance VP Stephen Chamberlain, on his daily run, was hit by a car crossing a rural road at an unsafe location. BBC

- Sep 2024. HPE continues suit. "HPE opens itself up to potential litigation should it not chase financial damages from Lynch's estate." --The Register

- Jul 2025. After additional submissions and hearings, the U.K. High Court rules that Lynch's estimated $700 million estate owes HPE $940 million. (Lynch personally made an estimated $800 million from the 2011 sale.) Guardian  Official Summary  Full Ruling  [No doubt will be appealed.]

[History of autonomy from founding: CIO Magazine Jul 22, 2025 ]

Information for Autonomy alumni -- whether or not you ever worked for HP:  Autonomy alumni 

Autonomy stock info: Autonomy stock

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