DURHAM, N.C. – Drue Moore spent the last decade meticulously planning to protect his assets for the event of his death. On July 21, 2016, the lawyer and co-founder of Winthrop Intelligence, a leading college sports software-as-a-service company, signed his last will and testament. His wife, Kelly, was named executor of his estate and trustee of his trust, while his cousin and business partner, Ben Moore, was designated as the successor in these roles.
The entrepreneurial journey for Drue and Ben, who co-founded Winthrop Intelligence and developed its flagship software WIN AD – a financial database for athletic departments, stretches back years and brought them considerable success. By 2016, their company was reporting seven-figure annual profits, but the Moores didn’t settle. They embarked on riskier ventures to diversify their income and engaged in elaborate financial planning to shield their wealth from various liabilities, including creditors and tax authorities.
This period was not without controversy, as the cousins undertook several legal maneuvers, raising suspicions of collusion. Drue Moore’s death by suicide earlier this year at age 55 resurfaced these issues, igniting new allegations and a lawsuit questioning the entitlement to Winthrop’s success and assets. The saga continues to entangle those closest to Moore, even as the company thrives commercially.
In an ongoing legal battle, Moore’s widow, Kelly, and their two children allege that unfounded accusations by business associates and the pressure surrounding these claims led to Drue’s tragic death. They are suing Robert Scott Brooks, a former executive in the company, and Dennis Scott Robinson, a tax attorney involved in setting up a complex structure of trusts and LLCs for the Moore cousins. The claims include emotional distress and breach of fiduciary duty, among others, painting a picture of internal strife and betrayal at the heart of a corporate empire.
In recent responses, Robinson vehemently denied the allegations, while Brooks has yet to make a public comment. Court documents reveal that Drue was pressured into liquidating multiple personal assets to settle purported debts to Brooks just days before his death, a demand that culminated in a letter threatening legal and public consequences if he failed to comply.
Adding legal complexity, Winthrop Intelligence, also a named defendant, is represented by Gary Shipman, a noted lawyer who plans to independently investigate the veracity of the claims in the lawsuit. Winthrop, perhaps undeterred by the ongoing case, continues operations, maintaining a robust online presence and ongoing software agreements with several educational institutions.
The case has caught the attention of legal observers due to its intertwining of personal tragedy, complex asset protection strategies, and allegations of fraud. A Denver judge noted in a past proceeding involving Ben Moore that both cousins had attempted to conceal assets, a claim now reinforced by the ongoing lawsuits that seek to unravel the extent of these maneuvers.
At the core of the Moore family’s litigation is a request for a declaratory judgment confirming their entitlement to Drue’s share of Winthrop and his life insurance, further questioning the legitimacy of creditor claims from within the company. The unfolding events mirror a modern-day tragedy, highlighting the personal costs of business disputes and intricate financial dealings.
A plea from Kelly Moore emphasizes the perceived injustice and seeks restitution, not just in financial terms, but also in the restoration of her late husband’s reputation, challenged by the circumstances of his untimely death.
In a statement of reflection, not just on the successes but also on the burdens carried by Drue, a friend remembered him at his memorial service as not just a businessman, but a lover of family activities, sports, and life’s finer experiences, albeit burdened by overwhelming pressures.
This story introduces an ongoing legal and personal drama filled with complex disputes and emotional narratives, underscoring the high stakes that accompany corporate success and the human costs of legal and familial entanglements.
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