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CNN
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Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare who was fatally shot Wednesday in midtown Manhattan in a “brazen, targeted attack” by New York police, was a longtime leader of Corporate America, a model student and star high school athlete – and he was embroiled in a high-profile insider trading lawsuit this year.

Thompson, 50, was living in Minnesota and visiting New York for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference before he was killed.

Thompson was named chief executive of UnitedHealthcare in 2021 and had been with the company since 2004. Before being named chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, Thompson served as CEO of the company’s government programs business, which includes its Medicare and pensions businesses. UnitedHealthcare is part of UnitedHealth Group, America’s largest insurance company.

Prior to joining UnitedHealthcare in 2004, Thompson worked as a manager and auditor at PwC for nearly seven years.

Thompson graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. According to LinkedIn, he graduated at the top of his class. He was a Collegiate Scholar, Carver Scholar, State of Iowa Scholar and Faculty Scholar.

Thompson graduated from South Hamilton High School in Jewell, Iowa in 1993. Thompson was the valedictorian of his class, South Hamilton Community School District Superintendent Heather Holm told CNN.

“During his time at South Hamilton, Brian was a star student, athlete, homecoming king and respected leader. “His accomplishments and character left a meaningful legacy in our schools and community,” Holm said in a statement. “We join all those who mourn in remembering Brian’s life and legacy.”

According to UnitedHealth Group, Thompson is considered a beloved leader and friend. “Brian was a valued colleague and friend to everyone who worked with him,” the company said in a statement.

Thompson was sued in May for alleged fraud and illegal insider trading. The Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group, CEO Andrew Witty, Executive Chairman Stephen Hemsley and Thompson, alleging that the executives planned to drive up the company’s shares by triggering a U.S. antitrust investigation. Ministry of Justice against the company had not disclosed.

UnitedHealth Group announced in 2021 that it would buy Change Healthcare. The Justice Department sued to overturn the deal, but a judge ultimately let it go. However, The Wall Street Journal reported in February 2024 that even after the merger was completed, the Justice Department reopened its case to investigate whether the companies properly set up a so-called firewall to prevent the flow of customer information between departments of the merged companies Company.

The lawsuit alleged that Thompson knew about the investigation as early as October 2023 and sold 31% of his company shares, representing a profit of $15 million, 11 days before the Journal published the investigation. The Journal report sent UnitedHealth shares down 5%.

The revelation of alleged insider trading prompted Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to write a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29 calling on Chairman Gary Gensler to investigate UnitedHealth over the executives’ stock sales. The senators noted that if convicted, Thompson could face a fine of up to $5 million and 20 years in prison.

“The reports of these transactions reveal a disturbing fact pattern,” the senators wrote. “The timing of these transactions … raises numerous questions.”

The lawsuit, which remains active, sought a jury trial and unspecified damages from UnitedHealth and the executives named in the lawsuit, including Thompson.

The Southern District of New York declined to comment. UnitedHealthcare did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

CNN’s Kara Scannell contributed to this report.