John McAfee Controversy From Antivirus Boss To Death Hanging Himself In Prison

JAKARTA - United States technopreneur, John McAfee, was found dead in his detention cell in Barcelona, Spain. After Spain's high court declared his extradition on charges of tax evasion.

His figure may be less popular in Indonesia. However, he is the founder of the software company for the antivirus program McAfee.

Many controversies ever made John McAfee during his life. Starting from what is still a mystery, to the criminal record that accompanied his life before he died.

More fully, here are some controversies in McAfee's life journey that the VOI team summarized from various sources.

Establish McAfee Associates

McAfee started his career in the late '80s. Together with McAfee Associates, a software company that was once the standard of computing security. In 1994, McAfee left the company – which made McAfee Associates reach the pinnacle of glory.

Since the release of McAfee, the company has tried to keep its distance from the person whose name was used. In fact, it had changed its name to Intel Security after the semiconductor company bought it for 7.7 billion US dollars in 2010.

So, what made the company so eager to distance itself from McAfee? There are many reasons. After McAfee sold his stake in the company, McAfee went to try various types of businesses – which were short-lived.

Starting from short message delivery systems, data security providers, to tricycle providers for hang gliders. Troubles started when McAfee moved to Belize in 2008, where he founded the company QuorumEx.

The company aims to produce herbal antibiotics that can interfere with the senses of bacteria. In 2012, suspected of being a methamphetamine production lab, the Belize Police Criminal Gang Action Unit searched the QuorumEx research facility.

During the raid, police confiscated McAfee's passport and licensed weapons. Then, the police arrested McAfee – even if only briefly, on charges of producing illegal drugs.

Plus, during the raid, McAfee was found sleeping with a 16-year-old girl.

Running for President of the United States of the Cyber Party

The McAfee controversy didn't stop there. Returned to the United States, McAfee continued to make newspaper Headlines. In 2015, citing The Hill, McAfee stated that he was ready to become the presidential candidate of the newly formed party. The name of the party is Cyber Party.

Not long after, still in the same year, McAfee changed course. He moved to the Libertarian Party.

And in 2020, McAfee is running again as a candidate for the Libertarian Party. Only, this time, McAfee campaigned in exile conditions. It is known, McAfee, his wife, and four-party staff are being investigated by the IRS for tax crimes.

Imprisoned in Spain

In October 2020, John McAfee was arrested by the Spanish government at the insistence of the United States government. He was accused of failing to repay tax arrears for four years – even though he made millions from his work as a cryptocurrency consultant, and much more.

Not only that but McAfee was also accused of hiding personal assets – such as yachts and real estate – on behalf of other people. And in March 2020, the charges brought against McAfee were added.

Namely fraud and money laundering. The United States Department of Justice is suing McAfee and its business partners for fraud to investors worth 13 million dollars. McAfee is accused of counterfeiting cryptocurrency promotions.

This time, McAfee was not silent. So many demands placed on him made him speak. He also refused when the court wanted to extradite him to the United States. McAfee stated that what he faced was political persecution.