On June 6, Mike Lynch was acquitted of charges related to defrauding Hewlett-Packard during the sale of his software company, Autonomy. This verdict marked the conclusion of a legal battle that had spanned over a decade, during which Lynch had been under strict house arrest in San Francisco.
His legal representative, Christopher J. Morvillo, expressed relief following the verdict, which had seemed improbable a year prior due to the complexity of the case, likened to the Enron scandal. Upon leaving the courtroom, Lynch removed his ankle monitor, while Morvillo took to LinkedIn to express gratitude to his colleagues.
Tragically, less than three months later, both Lynch and Morvillo, along with several others including Lynch's daughter and Morvillo's wife, perished when their yacht, the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily. This incident coincided with the death of Stephen Chamberlain, a co-defendant of Lynch's, who was killed in a hit-and-run in England shortly before.
The cause of the yacht's sinking is currently under investigation by Italian and British authorities. Friends and associates have recounted the tumultuous legal journey both men faced over the past 12 years, as well as their aspirations following the conclusion of the case.
In Britain, Lynch was regarded as a prominent tech figure, having founded Autonomy in 1996 and established it as one of the country's leading tech companies by 2011. His sale of Autonomy to HP for $11.1 billion that same year led to significant financial success, but also to scrutiny and allegations of financial impropriety that resulted in a major write-down for HP.
Morvillo, a seasoned corporate lawyer, became involved in Lynch's legal issues in 2012. His dedication to the case led to extensive travel between New York and London, ultimately consuming a significant portion of his career.
The trial in San Francisco was lengthy and complex, with a defense strategy that involved Lynch testifying in his own defense. His acquittal was celebrated by his legal team, who viewed the trial as a pivotal moment in their careers.
Following his acquittal, Lynch returned to Britain with ambitions to focus on investments and technology advocacy. However, he still faced potential civil liabilities related to the fraud claims, with Hewlett Packard Enterprise pursuing damages against him.
In the aftermath of his legal victory, Lynch planned a celebratory cruise aboard the Bayesian. The trip included Morvillo and his wife, with plans to visit Greece afterward. However, the voyage ended tragically when the yacht sank off Sicily, leading to the deaths of both men and several others.