The U.S. Justice Department opened an investigation relating to Autonomy Corp. after Hewlett-Packard Co. accused the software company of misrepresenting its performance before being bought last year.

Justice Department representatives informed the company on Nov. 21 of the probe, Hewlett-Packard said last week in its annual 10-K regulatory filing. The computer maker booked an $8.8 billion write-down related to Autonomy last month after finding that some revenue had been recorded prematurely or improperly.

Hewlett-Packard is cooperating with authorities while Chief Executive Officer Meg Whitman works to turn around the company after years of botched deals, management tumult and strategic missteps. Palo Alto, California-based Hewlett-Packard also said it's providing information to the Serious Fraud Office in the U.K. and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.