Hewlett Packard will not drop its UK lawsuit against tech mogul Mike Lynch, who died when his yacht sank

LONDON (AP) — Hewlett Packard Enterprise said Monday it will not drop its U.K. damages claim against the estate of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who was killed when his superyacht sank last month.

In 2022, the British Supreme Court ruled largely in favor of the American tech company, which accused Lynch and his former CFO of fraud in the $11 billion acquisition of its software company Autonomy. Hewlett Packard is seeking up to $4 billion in damages, and the judge is expected to rule on the final amount soon.

Lynch died when his yacht, the Bayesian, sank in a storm off Sicily on August 19. His widow, Angela Bacares, could now be held liable for the damages.

Months before the sinking, Lynch had been acquitted in a trial separate criminal trial in the United States charges of fraud and conspiracy in the case.

Hewlett Packard initially welcomed the expensive acquisition of Lynch’s company in 2011 but quickly regretted it. The company said in a statement Monday that it had “largely prevailed” in its civil fraud lawsuits against Lynch and Sushovan Hussain, the former chief financial officer.

“HPE intends to pursue the proceedings to their conclusion.”

However, the judge in the UK civil case has already ruled that the amount to be paid in damages would be “significantly lower” than that sought by the company.

A spokesman for Lynch’s family declined to comment.

Lynch and her daughter Hannah were among six passengers who died when the 56-metre luxury yacht sank. One crew member, the boat’s chef, also died, while 15 people survived the disaster. They had gathered on the yacht to celebrate Lynch’s acquittal.

Authorities initially said the yacht was struck by a tornado over water, known as a waterspout. Italian prosecutors are now investigating the captain, who could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.