The wife of Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes is alleged to have ordered a top executive to download and hand over sensitive company secrets after the couple’s marriage broke down.
Kevin Chiu was the group financial controller and company secretary of Cannon-Brookes Services, the family’s investment company, until February last year.
He is alleged to have become involved in the bitter aftermath of the Cannon-Brookes’ lovesplit in July 2023 after 13 years of marriage.
A statement of claim lodged in the Supreme Court of NSW accuses him of leaking hundreds of confidential documents, including sensitive employee HR files, to Ms Cannon-Brookes during the marriage breakdown.
But while he admits downloading the 966 files, his defence alleges Ms Cannon-Brookes told him to do it, and he did it as a normal part of his job.
Among a swag of allegations is that on or about November 14, 2024, Mr Chiu downloaded employment contracts, remuneration and bonus details, resumés, tax and superannuation records, medical certificates, visa and police check details, and committee minutes.
It is alleged he shared the ‘HR Files’ with Ms Cannon-Brookes and former CBC chief financial officer Catherine Manuel between December 20, 2024 and January 10, 2025.
The company also accuses him of leaking invoices and bank statements to Ms Manuel, as well as US tax details about sports team investments by Cannon-Brookes Entertainment Group, and details of financial dealings with Grok Investments.
Mike Cannon-Brookes had previously gushed over his partner, Annie Cannon-Brookes , recounting how he got down on one knee to propose in 2009
Mr Chiu flatly denied the core breach allegations and insisted that providing access to Ms Cannon-Brookes was not an unauthorised disclosure.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Chiu was employed from May 18, 2020, until February 4 last year.
Cannon-Brookes Services alleges he breached his employment contract, which required Mr Chiu to keep information confidential, use it only for performing his duties, and not use it in ways that could harm the company, its officers, employees, or ‘the Family’.
Mr Chiu is also accused of breaching his statutory duty under the Corporations Act, which prohibits officers from improperly using company information to gain an advantage for themselves or others, or to cause detriment to the company.
On February 4 last year, during a meeting with new CFO Faris Cosic, Mr Chiu allegedly admitted to the HR Files conduct.
The company said it then issued a ‘Deliver Up Direction’ requiring him to return all devices and provide passwords and access codes, but he allegedly refused by text.
The company terminated Mr Chiu’s employment on February 4 last year and commenced proceedings against him on February 18.
Cannon-Brookes Services is seeking damages and indemnity costs for the alleged breaches.
Mr Chiu is counter-claiming for financial compensation arising from the interim court orders.
Embattled technology billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes (pictured) and his software company Atlassian have faced a costly hit after competitors revealed new artificial intelligence tools
Annie Cannon-Brookes and Mike Cannon-Brookes arrive at The Ivy in Sydney in 2017
Atlassian’s shares plummeted 8 per cent on the NASDAQ last week
The legal action came after revelations Mr Cannon-Brookes’ worth fell almost $1billion as competitors developed new AI tools that challenge his business software products.
Atlassian’s shares plummeted eight per cent on the NASDAQ last week.
The company shares hit US$68.17 (AU$97.43), more than a third of the stock’s peak of US$242 (AU$345.88) within the last 52 weeks.
It followed tech competitors Amazon and San Francisco-based Anthropic revealing major updates to their AI products.
Mr Cannon-Brookes had previously gushed over his partner in a series of loved-up tweets when he got down on one knee to propose in 2009.
Following their engagement, he tweeted: ‘GOT ENGAGED THIS WEEKEND! The gorgeous Miss Annie said yes!’
The couple tied the knot in 2010 and amassed a huge property portfolio worth almost $300million over the years as Mr Cannon-Brookes climbed the Rich List ranks.
The couple’s 1.1-hectare Fairwater home in the Sydney harbourside suburb of Point Piper, where the late Lady Mary Fairfax lived, was the most extravagant of their purchases.
Mike Cannon-Brookes has suffered a $1billion blow with his share price collapsing
They snapped it up in 2018 despite its $100million price tag, which made it the most expensive house in Australia at the time.
‘We love the idea of raising our four young children in this historic property, filling the house and gardens with love and laughter through the years,’ Mr Cannon-Brookes told Domain at the time.
They also owned a $14.25million home in Newport, on Sydney’s northern beaches, neighbouring the $24.5million estate they purchased there in 2020.
The couple also spent $2.55million on a fisherman’s cottage out at Great Mackerel Beach on the northern beaches, accessible only by boat.
