There is that! Was he entitled to peruse the contents? Maybe not illegal since he had the password but certainly improper conduct. Sometimes it is our weaknesses that take us where we ought not go.
Hunter never picked up the lap top or paid. After 45 days I believe he could legally own the computer since it was unclaimed.
The article makes it sound like he was merely or illegally snooping; but earlier articles said that the computer was abandoned—MacIsaac notified Hunter and after many weeks, Hunter never came to pick it up or pay for the repair. As stated in the original work order, the computer then becomes property of the shop. Presumably they may recondition it to sell it, or sell it for parts, etc. The repair was because, if I recall, Hunter had spilled water on it or something like that.
Typically, when a tech restores functioning, there's at least a scan through the top level of files to see if everything is working. Just as with Huma finding a suspicious folder on Weiner's laptop that led to her discovery that he had downloaded all of Hillary's work emails to Huma (again if I recall correctly), this tech must have seen a file title that did not sit right with him, and he opened it. Ew, gross! And suspecting he might have illegal material in his hands, he examine more, intending to give the laptop to the FBI.
The FBI, as this article states, wasn't interested. Hard to imagine our country had sunk that low. Therefore he reached out to Giuliani's team.