Credit: Todd J. Van Emst/Opelika-Auburn News, via Associated Press

There’s something ironic about a security expert being arrested.

If you’ve used a computer for a long enough time, you probably recognize the name McAfee. McAfee was the very first anti-virus program ever released for personal computers, all the way back in the 1980s, and the McAfee company has become one of the leading names in commercial-grade cybersecurity. The original McAfee program was created by one John McAfee, a bona-fide programming pioneer, though these days, the McAfee company doesn’t particularly want anything to do with him due to his controversial past. After today, they’ll probably want even less to do with him.

John McAfee was arrested today in Spain, and will be extradited to the United States to face charges for multiple years worth of tax evasion. Since he’s no longer associated with his namesake company, McAfee’s livelihood comes primarily from consulting work, public appearances, crypto management, and selling the rights to his life story. On these various sources of income, McAfee has not filed any tax returns for at least four years, possibly more.

According to the US Justice Department, McAfee skirted the law by having his income paid into accounts and crypto exchanges in the names of various other people. He has allegedly used this same tactic to hide valuable assets, such as various pieces of real estate and a yacht.

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On top of the Justice Department’s charges, the US Securities and Exchanges Commission has thrown down some charges of their own. The SEC has accused McAfee of using his fame to recommend various cryptocurrency offerings on companies’ behalf to potential buyers without informing them he was being paid to do so. All of these offerings ended up being nearly worthless, while McAfee made around $23 million.

McAfee has not publicly commented on these charges, though he is known to have a disdain for the American tax system. Last year, on his personal Twitter, McAfee claimed that he hadn’t filed any returns for at least eight years. If these various charges stick, McAfee could serve up to 30 years in prison.