Robert A. Altman | |
|---|---|
 Altman in 2009 | |
| Born | Robert Alan Altman (1947-02-23)February 23, 1947 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 2021(2021-02-03) (aged 73) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin (AB) George Washington University (JD) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, lawyer |
| Known for | ZeniMax Media |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Robert Alan Altman (February 23, 1947 – February 3, 2021) was an American lawyer and video game executive. He worked as a lawyer inWashington, D.C., and was involved in a scandal surrounding theBank of Credit and Commerce International. In 1999, he andChristopher Weaver foundedZeniMax Media as the parentholding company forBethesda Softworks, avideo game developer Weaver had founded earlier. Altman served as ZeniMax Media'schief executive officer andchairman until his death. He was also a member of theadvisory board of theGeorge Washington University Law School.[1]
Robert Alan Altman was born inWashington, D.C., on February 23, 1947.[2][3] His father, Norman S. Altman (–1997), was a graduate ofHarvard Law School, areal estate lawyer and investor, a government lawyer during theNew Deal, and a co-founder of the law firm Krooth and Altman.[2][4] His mother, Sophie B. Altman (née Robinson; –2008), was a graduate ofYale Law School, atelevision producer, and created the programIt's Academic in 1961.[2][5][6] Robert A. Altman had three sisters: Janet R. Spragens (–2006), Susan Altman, and Nancy Altman.[6]
Robert A. Altman was raised in theCleveland Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and graduated fromWoodrow Wilson High School. He obtained abachelor's degree in political science at theUniversity of Wisconsin[7] in 1968 and returned to D.C. to attendGeorge Washington University Law School, where he was editor of itslaw review and earned aJuris Doctor degree in 1971.[2][8]
Altman practiced law for many years in Washington, D.C., as a partner ofClark Clifford, a formerUnited States Secretary of Defense in the law firm of Clifford and Warnke. Altman later opened his own law firm, the Law Offices of Robert Altman where Clifford was of counsel. As a Washington, D.C., attorney, Altman represented major companies before federal regulatory agencies, before Congress, or in litigation.[9]
From 1978 to 1982, Altman and Clifford represented a group of wealthy Arab businessmen, including members of the royal family from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia in their efforts to acquire a multi-state bank holding company, Financial General Bankshares. The Arab investors used a British bank,Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) as their financial advisor in this transaction. Following the acquisition, Altman became President of Financial General which was renamed First American Corporation.[8][9]
In 1991, it was alleged that BCCI, the financial adviser to the Arab shareholders and their "communications link" had acquired by means of offshore loans that were in default, the shares of the Arab investors in First American. Questions were raised whether the Arab investors had falsely represented to bank regulators the true ownership of First American.[10] During the ensuing investigations, Altman and Clifford testified at length before Congress, federal and state grand juries, and the Federal Reserve. Audits of First American by the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller, and state banking agencies confirmed that the bank had been operated under Altman's management without any BCCI influence.[11]
In 1992, Clifford and Altman were charged in indictments by the New York District Attorney and the Department of Justice, as well as being named in a civil suit by the Federal Reserve.[11] Clifford, then in poor health, was severed from the case as he was physically unable to go to trial. Altman maintained his innocence, refused offers of a plea to resolve the cases, and insisted on going to trial. In the summer of 1993, after a five-month trial, the court dismissed the central count in the indictment of bribery, saying no evidence had been presented by the government to support it.[12] Altman declined to present a defense case and was acquitted by the jury of all remaining charges.[13][14] The Department of Justice dismissed the companion federal indictment. The civil suit by the Federal Reserve was settled[15] with Altman agreeing to be banned permanently from banking.[15] He was defended by the famous white-collar criminal defense lawyer Gustave Newman.[16]
Altman and Clifford's BCCI defense cost was $10 million.[17] The cost of the BCCI investigation by the government was $20 million.[17]
After the BCCI trial, Altman resumed his Washington, D.C., legal practice. In 1999, he co-foundedZeniMax Media withBethesda Softworks founderChristopher Weaver as a new parent company of Bethesda.[18] Altman was brought in as CEO with Weaver serving asCTO.[19] Weaver was pushed out of an operational role in 2002, and he filed a related lawsuit that was settled out of court.[20]
Altman being the partner of Clark Clifford used his connections as a lawyer to stack ZeniMax's Advisory board with such high profile political figures likeTerry McAuliffe,[21][22]George J. Mitchell[22] andTony Coelho[22] with McAuliffe and Mitchell joining the advisory board in 2000[23] while Coelho joined in 2001.[24]
Lynda and I first met along with Robert and Bill when we were privileged to be house guests together at thegovernor’s mansion in Kentucky during theKentucky Derby.
Altman was Jewish.[26][27] On January 29, 1984, he married formerWonder Woman actressLynda Carter.[3] Together they had two children: Jessica and James. They lived inPotomac, Maryland.[28] James Altman worked at his father's ZeniMax subsidiaryBethesda Softworks as the Director of Publishing Operations.[29]
In 1999, both Robert and Lynda wereDemocratic National Committee Dinner Co-Hosts.[25]
In 2015, both Robert Altman and his wife endorsedHillary Clinton forpresident.[30] Altman and Carter have been family friends with the Clintons since 1983–1984.[30]
On February 3, 2021, Altman died at a hospital inBaltimore ofmyelofibrosis, a rare type ofleukemia, at the age of 73.[2][31] Bethesda Softworks announced his death the day after.[32][21]
A subsidiary ofMicrosoft Gaming | |
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