How did Robert Brockman die? Billionaire software developer charged in tax evasion case dies at 81
HOUSTON, TEXAS: Robert Brockman, a multi-millionaire software developer involved in the largest individual tax evasion case in US history died on Friday, August 5. Numerous sources reported that Brockman died at 81 at his house in Houston.
Brockman was a self-taught software entrepreneur who devised a system to let car dealers conduct their operations virtually, and had been fighting IRS claims of money laundering and tax fraud worth more than $2 billion since 2020. According to Prosecutors, Brockman, who had a personal net worth of $4.7 billion, owned a $8 million residence in Houston, a Colorado ski chalet, a Bombardier jet, and a 209-foot boat titled "Turmoil."
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Brockman had dementia, according to Kathy Keneally, Brockman's lead attorney, who confirmed his death on Saturday. His lawyers had consistently argued that he was incompetent to stand trial, but in May, a judge ruled that the trial would proceed. The judge set the trial date for February 2023 at a hearing in June.
Who was Robert Brockman?
Brockman was born in Florida, where his father owned a gas station and his mother worked as a physiotherapist. He registered dozens of patents and was the former CEO of Reynolds & Reynolds, an Ohio-based software company that provides solutions to businesses. Brockman founded the first Universal Computer Services, Inc (UCS) in 1970 as a service bureau to provide data processing services to automotive dealerships. His first office was in his Houston living room, where he taught himself computer programming. In August 2006, Universal Computer Systems purchased Reynolds and Reynolds and consolidated the two firms' activities under the Reynolds and Reynolds brand.
The government charged him in a 39-count indictment in October 2020 with avoiding taxes on $2 billion in earnings, wire fraud, money laundering, and other charges. He had entered a not guilty plea. According to the Department of Justice, the alleged scheme to conceal billions of dollars in income from the IRS extended for decades.
According to Bloomberg, Brockman is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dorothy; son Robert Brockman II; a brother; and two grandchildren.