Following his recent acquittal on fraud charges in the US, British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is embarking on a new mission. He aims to support Britons wrongfully convicted across the Atlantic.
Therefore, Lynch is considering funding a British counterpart to the Innocence Project, known for overturning wrongful convictions in America.
Mike Lynch’s Campaign Against Wrongful Convictions
British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is preparing to launch a campaign to support Britons wrongfully convicted in the US. This follows his acquittal on multi-billion dollar fraud charges.
Lynch is considering funding a British equivalent of America’s Innocence Project, an organisation dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions.
Acquittal and Criticism of Extradition Treaty
Last month, Lynch, 59, was cleared of fraud charges in a US court related to the £7bn sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett Packard (HP).
He was extradited to the US last year and has been a vocal critic of the UK’s extradition treaty with America, which he and other opponents argue is unbalanced.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Lynch said, “It has to be wrong that a US prosecutor has more power over a British citizen living in England than the UK police do.”
Details of the Fraud Case
Lynch faced 17 counts of fraud and conspiracy brought by the US Department of Justice in 2018 and 2019. The charges accused him of inflating Autonomy’s revenues.
HP had written down $5bn (£3.9bn) on Autonomy in 2012, a year after acquiring it, alleging serious accounting improprieties. Lynch argued HP mismanaged the company after the acquisition.
Extradition and Treatment in the US
Despite his efforts to resist extradition, Lynch was transferred to California last May. He was largely confined to a property in San Francisco, monitored by armed guards and forced to wear an ankle tag.
Describing his treatment, Lynch recounted how US marshals put him in chains and covered his head before bundling him onto a plane at Heathrow. “It’s ridiculous. You’re in chains, even though, like, what are you going to do?” he said.
Rare Acquittal in the US Legal System
Lynch’s acquittal after an 11-week trial was unexpected in the US legal system, where not guilty verdicts are exceedingly rare. Following the verdict, Lynch expressed his intention to campaign against the current US extradition laws.
He told Conservative MP David Davis, “We’ve got work to do to put this extradition treaty right.”
Damages Verdict in UK Civil Case
Despite his acquittal, Lynch faces a damages verdict after being found liable for fraud in a UK civil case brought by HP. HP is seeking up to $4bn.
Lynch plans to appeal this decision. His financial situation is secure due to smart technology investments made by his wife, and his net worth was estimated at $450m last year by his lawyer.
Lynch’s Future Plans
Lynch’s campaign aims to address the imbalance he perceives in the US-UK extradition treaty. He believes wrongful convictions are a significant issue that needs to be tackled.
His efforts could bring attention to the challenges faced by Britons convicted in the US under what he sees as an unbalanced legal framework.
In summary, Mike Lynch is using his own experience to fight against wrongful convictions of Britons in the US. His case has highlighted numerous issues with the US-UK extradition treaty.
Lynch’s new campaign may bring significant changes to the legal landscape, offering much-needed support to those wrongfully accused. This movement stands to improve justice for many affected by cross-border legal complexities.
