John McAfee, the tech mogul known for creating the first commercial antivirus software, lived a life shrouded in mystery and controversy. During his final days, in the most highly publicized legal battle involving cryptocurrency to date, McAfee was preparing to fight charges of tax evasion and securities fraud. His story took a tragic turn when he was found dead in a Spanish prison.
Did McAfee commit suicide, or is there more to the story? That question is the centerpiece of a new documentary on Fox Nation called The Last Days of John McAfee. The documentary features our own Andrew Gordon, the lead attorney for McAfee’s U.S. defense, sharing an inside look at McAfee’s high-profile tax evasion case and the lingering questions surrounding his death.
John McAfee’s Tax Charges
In 2021, McAfee retained Gordon Law to lead his defense in the United States. The Department of Justice had indicted McAfee for alleged tax evasion, failure to file tax returns, and securities fraud related to virtual currencies.
This case was among the first significant criminal tax evasion cases in the U.S. involving cryptocurrency, highlighting a pivotal moment in the enforcement of cryptocurrency reporting by federal agencies.
In 2020, after evading U.S. authorities for several years, McAfee was arrested in Spain.
Lingering Questions Surrounding McAfee’s Death
During his time in a Spanish prison, McAfee was in regular contact with his wife Janice and his legal defense team. While his Spanish lawyers fought to prevent McAfee being extradited to the United States, McAfee also hired attorneys stateside to begin preparing his defense before the U.S. courts.
Shortly after his extradition to the United States was confirmed, McAfee was found dead in his prison cell. Officials claim he committed suicide. The news came as a surprise to those who were in contact with McAfee during his final days.
Gordon said at the time, “The news of his death came as a horrible surprise considering that John was intent on sharing the truth of his story. John always maintained his innocence and we looked forward to fighting for his justice before the courts.”
Before his death, McAfee tweeted that if he were found dead in prison, it would be due to foul play—he even got a tattoo that read “$WHACKD” to emphasize his belief. His widow Janice McAfee has fought tirelessly for answers, repeatedly stating that she does not believe her husband committed suicide.
New Documentary Explores McAfee’s Final Days
In Episode 3 of The Last Days of John McAfee, “Was John McAfee Murdered?,” Gordon provides crucial insights into McAfee’s legal battles and the controversy surrounding his death in a Spanish prison.
In the documentary, Gordon emphasizes that McAfee’s legal team anticipated that he would be extradited and was preparing a robust defense.
“John himself had said on Twitter that if he had died of suicide, that it wasn’t suicide,” says Gordon. “You have someone that’s saying, ‘I want to live, I’m defending my case.’ You have to take that seriously.”
The documentary provides a comprehensive look into the challenges and intricacies of McAfee’s legal situation and its broader implications on cryptocurrency regulation.
At Gordon Law, we are dedicated to navigating the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency law and ensuring fair outcomes for our clients. We invite you to watch the documentary for a deeper understanding of this high-profile case and its significant impact on the world of cryptocurrency.
