It was known as the Ship of Gold, and since its discovery, insurers and angry investors have wanted to collect their share of the bounty. In 2005, some investors who had backed his efforts sued Mr. Thompson, saying they had yet to receive any money from a $50 million sale of some of the treasure. Mr. Thompson went into seclusion in Florida. In 2012, a judge issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to show up to court.