Megaupload kingpin found in panic room when arrested, say cops
Update: Remanded in custody until Wednesday
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Kim Dotcom has retained and then lost a star-quality US attorney, as debate over the raid and the Megaupload owner’s residency turns political in New Zealand.
At issue in the political debate is why Dotcom, who was refused permission to purchase the multi-million dollar mansion he occupied on character grounds, was nonetheless allowed to gain NZ residency.
The residency was granted under provisions that required him to invest more than $NZ10 million in New Zealand government bonds for a minimum of three years. That country’s immigration department says Dotcom had fully disclosed his previous convictions in applying for residency.
However, the country’s opposition is critical of the “investor plus” program which allowed Dotcom’s residency.
According to New Zealand’s 3News, police have claimed that to make the arrest they had to cut into a secure “panic room” where they found their target “near a firearm” described as “like a shortened shotgun”.
Reuters is now reporting that high-profile US lawyer Robert Bennett of Hogan Lovells, whose name alone sparked news stories over the weekend, has withdrawn from the case citing an unspecified conflict of interest. Bennett’s previous clients include President Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case.
As The Register is preparing this story, Dotcom’s bail application is being heard in the North Shore District Court before Judge David McNaughton. ®
Update: Fallout from the Megaupload mega-shutdown has begun, with cloud storage outfit Filesonic disabling file sharing features. Users can only access files they have uploaded themselves. ®
Remanded until Wednesday National Business Review has now reported that Dotcom and his three co-defendants have been remanded in custody until Wednesday, when Judge McNaughton will deliver a detailed judgement on their bail application. ®
COMMENTS
I don't post this to be contentious...
.. or to express a view. I'm not American. Whether my views - whatever they might be - should in any way have any bearing on American law (whether or not American law believes it should have any impact on me) is not the point.
And yes. I know expecting or hoping for logic in legislative activity is hoping for far too much.
However. For those who may wish to consider it, herewith.
I could have posted this on the original report of the bust. But heck. There's a gun in this one as well.
Imagine. You're back at school. You have a Philosophy paper. Or, as it might be, a Sociology paper. Or some other ology. And there's a question:
1: Guns do not kill people. People kill people. To hold those who manufacture or sell firearms liable in any way for the improper actions some take with their product is not a Good Thing(tm).
2: Filesharing sites do not abuse copyright. People abuse copyright. However, while there are indeed those who use filesharing sites in a proper manner, there are those who do not. To hold the providers of such sites liable for the improper actions of those using their sites is a Good Thing(tm).
Discuss.
There. That's it. Discuss. Or do not. Or ignore me. IT's probably better that way. There. I don't exist. This post doesn't exist. It was all a dream. Any moment now, Bobby is going to step out of the shower....
A fair trial might be even more difficult now they have seized all his assets and he might not be able to pay for his own lawyer. What is interesting is that they have seized all his stuff BEFORE he has had his day in court, so I guess he has been presumed guilty from the outset.
It came out later that the "Near a firearm" means in the same room as a gun in a gun safe that was not open.
A real threat to public safety requiring the efforts of 70 police officers and two helicopters!!!!
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