Kim Dotcom refused bail: Megaupload founder banned from bedroom swimming pool (photos)
MEGAUPLOAD.COM is dead. The owner of the Hong-Kong-based file-sharing website, Kim Dotcom ( formerly Kim Schmitz), is in a New Zealand jail. The FBI accuses the 38-year-old multi-millionaire of internet piracy, criminal copyright, infringement and conspiracy to commit racketeering money laundering. The FBI alleges Megaupload defrauded the entertainment industry of $500m. Kim Dotcom was arrested at his NZ$30 million (£15 million) 25,000-square-foot rented mansion in Auckland last Friday. He was hiding in a metal-cased panic room and had to be cut out.
The mansion boasts a heated pool just off the master ensuite filled with imported spring water. The place has about seven 60-inch television screens – each with its own X-box and luxury, recliner chair.
Police seized $4.8 million worth of cars at Doctom Mansion, with license plates like “GUILTY,” “MAFIA”, “POLICE” and “STONED.”
Anne Toohey, the New Zealand crown prosecutor, put it to the North Shore court in Auckland that Mr Dotcom represented a a flight risk “at the extreme end of the scale”. Given his access to big money, cars, boats, aircraft and multiple aliases (Schmitz, Vestor and Dotcom), the chance that he would abscond seems high. Kim Dotcom’s lawyer, Paul Davison, said his client was no risk. He noted that Kim Dotcom’s assets have been frozen and his passport confiscated.
Although Mr Dotcom has more than one passport – he has residency in Germany, Finland and New Zealand.
What is more, Davison points to Mr Dotcom’s “distinctive appearance” – 6ft 6 tall and over 20st in the round. He can escape but can he hide:
“He is not the sort of person who will pass unnoticed through our customs and immigration lines and controls.”
Also, Mr Dotcom’s wife is heavily pregnant.
Davison concludes that Mr Dotcom “emphatically denies any criminal misconduct or wrongdoing“.
Judge David McNaughton responds:
“Given the breadth of issues covered in this bail application and the seriousness of the issues, I am going to reserve my decision.”
Says Kim Dotcom to his 20 or so friends and family in the public gallery:
“Hey guys thanks for turning up, I appreciate it.”
Also arrested are: Bram van der Kolk, Mathias Ortmann and Finn Batato.
Posted: 23rd, January 2012 | In: Key Posts, Technology Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
