Re: So many stupids
I suspect the problem is that there were indeed accounting anomalies in Autonomy. Even though they were not functional in the valuation, HP is trying to bank on that (pardon the pun) to wholly blame Autonomy for their boneheaded deal and so avoid getting into trouble with the shareholders.
HP's problem, however, is that red flags HAD indeed been raised about the purchase by the most important person for such deals, the CFO, and she was overruled and even booted out.
That discounts any use of Autonomy's bookkeeping anomalies as an excuse: HP's CEO was warned, took the decision anyway and is now trying to shift the blame on Autonomy who is naturally not taking this lying down. Ironically, they are probably using some of the extra cash they received to fund the counterclaims so they can't be bullied into settlement either.
It's a fantastic and frankly mildly amusing mess for anyone not involved, with really one person responsible, and he isn't at Autonomy. The rest is noise.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
