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John McAfee Found Dead in Spanish Prison

John McAfee, the 75-year-old founder of international computer security software giant McAfee, hanged himself in his prison cell yesterday after the Spanish high court authorized his extradition to the United States, according to a Reuters report.

John McAfee, the 75-year-old founder of international computer security software giant McAfee, was found dead in his prison cell yesterday, apparently the result of suicide by hanging, after a Spanish court authorized his extradition to the United States, according to a Reuters report.

McAfee was arrested for tax evasion in a Barcelona airport last October at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice. On the day of his arrest, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had also charged McAfee with promoting investments in initial coin offerings without disclosing that he was paid more than $23 million in digital assets for the promotions, as reported by The DI Wire at the time.

The outspoken British-American computer programmer and businessman was perhaps best known for his eccentric lifestyle and multiple run-ins with both the U.S. and foreign governments over the last decade.

Prior to his arrest and while “living in exile” on a luxury boat in an unknown location, he unabashedly taunted the IRS on Twitter and admitted to not paying taxes for eight years for ideological reasons.

“I paid tens of millions already and received Jack S**t in services,” he tweeted in January 2019. “I’m done making money. I live off of cash from McAfee Inc. My net income is negative. But I am a prime target for the IRS. Here I am.”

According to the Reuters report, during a court hearing last month, McAfee said that given his age, he would spend the rest of his life in jail if he were to be convicted in the United States. “I am hoping that the Spanish court will see the injustice of this,” he said. “The United States wants to use me as an example.”

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