Saturday, October 27, 2012

Has Dotcom shot himself in the foot?

Kim Dotcom loves publicity. But he might not like this bit of publicity quite so much; the Herald reports:

Kim Dotcom could breach his bail terms or face further charges if he goes ahead with plans to start a new file-sharing service like his shuttered Megaupload site, a United States attorney warns.
The internet entrepreneur said on Twitter last month that a new file-sharing website was nearing completion and lawyers, partners and investors were ready for its launch.
Plans for the new service came after the Megaupload site was shut down as part of the United States copyright infringement case against Dotcom and his business partners.
In a court motion filed by the US Department of Justice this week, attorney Neil MacBride warned a new site could breach Dotcom's bail conditions or subject him to new charges.
The court papers cited a January bail application affidavit in which Dotcom said there was no realistic prospect or possibility of restoring his business.
"There is no ability for me to reinstate Megaupload either as it was prior to the police operation or as some new iteration of the site,'' he said.
Mr MacBride questioned whether Dotcom had intentionally misled the New Zealand courts to secure his release on bail.
"Defence counsel's claim that the corporate defendant can and should be allowed to operate undermines the sworn statements of Dotcom that he has no plans or ability to continue to operate or fund the businesses in the indictment during pendency of the extradition process.
"If defendant Dotcom intentionally misled the court in New Zealand about his intentions and capabilities in order to obtain his release from pre-extradition confinement, it seems defence counsel's representation might endanger Dotcom's bail situation or even subject him to additional charges.''

It would be a hoot if Mr Dotcom was to be rearrested because he had overplayed his hand. We wonder if there would be an orthopaedic mattress waiting for him at the Mt Eden remand prison this time!

Unsurprisingly, his lawyer is talking tough:

Dotcom's lawyer Ira Rothken said his client was innocent and he was entitled to be involved in business.

There's no doubt whatsoever that Dotcom is entitled to the presumption of innocence. But if he has wilfully breached the conditions of his bail, he should have no complaints if the long arm of the law comes a-calling. Dotcom has boasted on social media about his new venture, even boasting that it will be untouchable. It would be the ultimate irony if his boastfulness and his need for publicity was to send him back to the Big House.

5 comments:

Edward the Confessor said...

Remember this is the guy who John Banks (a Minister in Key's administration) toasted at his birthday party and took a helicopter ride to visit so he could secretly wheedle money out of him. He then posted false electoral returns. This happened before he told all those lies about it. How come Banks is still one of Key's go to guys?

I'm not sure your continued obsession with smearing Dotcom is of much use to your pals in the National Party though. It simply highlights how monstrously unethical the right is.

Keeping Stock said...

Where were the smears Edward? You're the only one smearing people today...you really should get your Banks obsession seen to before it poisons you.

Kim.Com said...

KDDS

Kim Dotcom Derangement Syndrome.

Catch it here from Keeping Stock.

micky savage said...

So KS what were KDC's bail conditions and which one did he breach? And why is the US interested? It is our court not theirs.

Lofty de who gives a fat rats. said...

Well someone has to come out and put some perceptive around the whole German fairy tale.....so here I go....


Nope nothing. Yawn..........