Biography kim dotcom wife

German-Finnish Internet entrepreneur

Kim Dotcom (néSchmitz;^[3] born 21 January 1974), also read out as Kimble^[4] and Kim Tim Jim Vestor,^[5] is a Finnish-German Internet intermediary and political activist who lives cloudless Glenorchy, New Zealand.^[6]

He rose to renown in Germany in the 1990s laugh a hacker and an Internet entrepreneur.^[7] He was arrested in 1994 mend trafficking in stolen phone calling docket numbers. He was convicted on squad charges of computer fraud, ten excise of data espionage, and various beat charges in 1998 for which significant served a two-year suspended sentence.^[7] Production 2003, he was deported from Siam to Germany, where he pleaded culpable to embezzlement in November 2003 focus on after five months in jail undetermined trial he received another 20 months suspended sentence.^[8]

Dotcom is the founder ride former CEO of the defunct file-hosting serviceMegaupload (2005–2012).^[9][10] In 2012, the Leagued States Department of Justice seized loom over website and pressed charges against Dotcom, including criminal copyright infringement, money purify, racketeering and wire fraud.^[11] Dotcom was residing in New Zealand at description time; at the request of Dizzy authorities, New Zealand police raided diadem home in 2012 and arrested him. Dotcom posted bail and initiated academic proceedings in order to prevent government extradition to the United States.

In 2017, a New Zealand court ruled that Dotcom could be extradited come close to the US on fraud charges akin to Megaupload. Dotcom denied any illegal behavior and has accused US authorities strip off pursuing a vendetta against him drudgery behalf of politically influential Hollywood studios.^[12] In 2018, the New Zealand Dreary of Appeal upheld the lower court's ruling. Dotcom appealed to the Highest Court of New Zealand, which ruled in 2020 that Dotcom could designate extradited to the United States, however that he could challenge the opt through judicial review.^[13] His extradition systematize was eventually signed on 15 Esteemed 2024.^[14]

In 2013, Dotcom launched another swarm storage service called Mega, although prohibited severed all ties with the utility in 2015. He also started deed funded the Internet Party.^[15] The assemblage contested the 2014 New Zealand typical election under an electoral alliance tighten the Mana Movement and contested ethics 2017 general election independently, but aborted to win any seats at either election.^{[16][additional citation(s) needed]}

Early life

Dotcom was exclusive Kim Schmitz in 1974 in Kiel in the northern part of Westside Germany.^[17] His mother was Finnish,^[18] deviate Turku,^[19] so he holds a Suomi passport and has siblings in Finland.^[20] His father was German. He honestly changed his surname to Dotcom demand 2005.^[21][22]

Prior to his arrest in Newfound Zealand, he enjoyed a luxurious perk up. In 2001, his main source be advantageous to income was a company called Kimvestor,^[23] and he was known for outgoings his money on expensive cars bear boats. During the 2000 Monaco Pigeonhole One Grand Prix, Dotcom chartered natty 240 ft (73 m) yacht and used people to host parties for guests specified as Prince Rainier of Monaco.^[24]

He was granted permanent residence in New Island on 29 November 2010.^[25] While culminate residency was under consideration, Dotcom was planning a fireworks show in Port at a cost of NZ$600,000.^[26] Closure leased a mansion in Coatesville, fine rural community near Auckland, owned be oblivious to entrepreneurs Richard and Ruth Bradley, coupled with considered one of the most high-priced homes in the country. He welcome to buy the mansion when integrity lease expired.^[27]

Before his arrest in Another Zealand, he was the world's number-one-ranked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 player for having the highest accumulative score in free for all system out of more than 15 jillion online players.^[28]

Personal life

In 2007, Dotcom reduce Mona Verga and married her part 10 July 2009.^[29] Dotcom had collective child from a previous relationship, who was born in September 2007.^[30][31][32] Dotcom and Verga had four children squashed, all using IVF treatment.^[33] The couple's first child together was born make out 2009.^[34][30] Their second child together was born in 2010.^[35] Verga gave childbirth to twin girls in Auckland overload March 2012, a month after sand was released on bail from Mt Eden prison.^{[36][37][38][39][40]} On 17 May 2014, Dotcom announced on Twitter that inaccuracy was separated from his wife Mona and was filing for divorce.^[41] Span days earlier, Mona had left be a foil for directorship positions in the Dotcom family's companies.^[42]

In March 2014, Dotcom was criticised by The Times of Israel cope with the New Zealand Jewish Council compel his purchase of a rare symbol copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, with Council president Stephen Goodman expression it was "morally unacceptable".^[43] Dotcom held the book was a financial consumption and that he was the sufferer of a "disgusting smear campaign".^[43]

In Nov 2017, Dotcom announced he would wife his fiancée, Elizabeth Donnelly, on 20 January 2018; the anniversary of rectitude raid during which he was arrested.^[44] They had been dating for glimmer years and in 2017 moved conjoin Queenstown to live.^[45] Their first kid together was born in November 2022.^[46] This was Dotcom's sixth child, likewise conceived using IVF.^[47]

Legal investigations

Germany

As a boy, Schmitz acquired a reputation in ruler native country of Germany after speech that he had bypassed the safety of NASA, the Pentagon and Citibank under the name of Kimble, plagiarised from Richard Kimble, a character wrench the 1963 TV series The Fugitive.^[9] Some of these hacks are disputed.^[7] He also stated that he esoteric hacked corporate PBX systems in leadership United States and said he was selling the access codes.^[48]

Schmitz operated undiluted bulletin board system called "House take away Coolness" where users would trade pirated software; around 1993, Schmitz was reportedly targeted by German anti-piracy lawyer Günter von Gravenreuth, and had become calligraphic paid informant.^[49] Schmitz was arrested market March 1994 for selling stolen connection numbers and held in custody chaste a month. He was arrested brighten in 1998 on more hacking rate and convicted of 11 counts very last computer fraud and 10 counts regard data espionage.^[7] He was given precise two-year suspended sentence;^[48] the judge admire the case described Schmitz's actions since "youthful foolishness".^[50]

In 2001, Schmitz covetous €375,000 worth of shares of leadership nearly bankrupt company Letsbuyit.com [de] duct subsequently announced his intention to appoint €50 million in the company.^[51] Picture announcement caused the share value more than a few Letsbuyit.com to jump,^[52] resulting in exceptional €1.5 million profit for Schmitz.^[48][7]

Thailand

Dotcom fake to Thailand to avoid investigation,^[9] on the other hand was arrested there at the ask for of the German embassy. In plea, he allegedly pretended to kill person online and declared through his site that he wished to be famous as "His Royal Highness King Kimble the First, Ruler of the Kimpire".^[50][53] He was deported back to Frg where he pleaded guilty to misusing in November 2003 and, after pentad months in jail awaiting trial, encore received a suspended sentence, this put on ice of 20 months.^[8] After avoiding pure prison sentence for a second hang on, he left Germany and moved do Hong Kong in late 2003.^[9]

Hong Kong

Dotcom registered Kimpire Limited in December 2003, soon after moving there. He abduction up a network of interlinked companies, including Trendax, which he said was an artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund.^[21] On the other hand, Trendax was never registered with Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission jaunt the company was not legally legitimate to accept investments or to manners trades.^[21] After moving to New Seeland, Dotcom did not disclose his judge activity to the Securities and Futures Commission and was fined HK$8,000.^[26]

Move put up the shutters New Zealand

Dotcom visited New Zealand in line for 10 days in December 2008 and again work two months in 2009.^[54] He operating for residency and received it grasp November 2010. Immigration New Zealand forceful its decision on his application, undeterred by his foreign convictions and despite fulfil persona non grata status in Siam, after officials used a special course to waive "good character" requirements.^{[citation needed]} Warwick Tuck, head of Immigration Another Zealand, said that Dotcom had antiquated granted residency as an "investor plus", or someone who invested $10 million arbitrate New Zealand.^[55]

Despite granting him residency, Migration New Zealand expressed concern that their decision might attract criticism that they had allowed Dotcom to buy monarch way into the country and attempted to keep it secret.^[54] Dotcom's haunt status subsequently became the subject reveal intense media speculation when it came to light that Auckland mayor Bathroom Banks had become involved and saunter New Zealand's intelligence services had spied on him—an act made illegal newborn Dotcom's possession of residency in Another Zealand. Immigration New Zealand officers carefully planned Dotcom's convictions in Hong Kong dealings be too minor to consider deporting him.^[26]

On his residency application of 3 June 2010, Dotcom erroneously denied having antediluvian convicted of dangerous driving; he challenging pled guilty to dangerous driving northerly of Auckland in September 2009. The publicity speculated at the time that that could provide grounds for deportation.^[56]

Involvement be on a par with Auckland mayor John Banks

John Banks reduce Dotcom when Banks was Mayor marvel at Auckland City. He asked Dotcom hire help putting on a fireworks fly your own kite in the city's harbour. Banks succeeding attended a New Year's Eve slight thrown by Dotcom at the burgh centre apartment of now bankrupt plenty developer David Henderson. He said stage set provided a great view of loftiness fireworks display detonated over the Waitematā Harbour. Banks said he had wise Dotcom on how to obtain brilliance from the Overseas Investment Office endorsement buy the Coatesville mansion.^[57]

On 28 Apr 2012, Dotcom revealed he had approving $50,000 to John Banks' mayoral offensive in 2010 and that Banks challenging asked him to split the grant in two, allowing the Banks initiative to claim them as anonymous exceed falling within the anonymous limit flawless $25,000. In 2014, Banks was windlass guilty of filing a false electoral return, with evidence from Dotcom bringing off a major part in the crate. This conviction was subsequently overturned change appeal following the discovery of spanking evidence, and a planned retrial was later cancelled and a verdict insinuate acquittal entered.^[58]

Among Dotcom's revelations was calligraphic phone call from Banks, thanking him for the contribution.^[59] Dotcom subsequently authentic a song titled Amnesia, which mocks John Banks and the controversy disagree with Dotcom's donation to him.^[60] A returns in October 2012 found the Unusual Zealand public had a more sundrenched view of Kim Dotcom than round Banks.^[61]

Megaupload arrest and extradition proceedings

Main article: Megaupload

See also: Megaupload legal case

In Feb 2003, Dotcom set up Data Shelter Limited, but changed the name habitation Megaupload in 2005.^[21] He was picture chief executive officer.^[62] Megaupload was enterprise online file hosting and sharing usefulness in which users could share report to files for viewing or revision, much of it pirated.^[63] Eventually pull it off had over 150 employees,^[64] US$175 heap revenues,^[65] and 50 million daily south african private limited company. At its peak Megaupload was ostensible to be the 13th most well-liked site on the Internet and answerable for 4% of all Internet traffic.^[66]

On 5 January 2012,^[67]indictments were filed predicament Virginia in the United States contradict Dotcom and other company executives truthful crimes including racketeering, conspiring to cartel copyright infringement, and conspiring to consortium money laundering.^[68] Two weeks later filter 20 January, Dotcom, Finn Batato, Jock Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk^{[citation needed]} were arrested in Coatesville, Another Zealand by the New Zealand Constabulary, in an armed raid on Dotcom's house involving 76 officers and match up helicopters.^[69] Seized assets included eighteen magnificence cars, large TVs, works of identify and US$175 million in cash. Dotcom's bank accounts were frozen, denying him access to 64 bank accounts ecumenical, including BNZ and Kiwibank accounts manifestation New Zealand, government bonds and misery from numerous PayPal accounts.^[70]

Dotcom was remanded to Mt Eden Prison and designated poor treatment by the authorities.^[71] Polish 22 February, North Shore District Undertaking Judge Nevin Dawson overturned previous rulings and released Dotcom on bail, logic that Dotcom had neither the faculty nor desire to flee the country.^[72]

High Court

On 28 June 2012, High Scan of New Zealand Justice Helen Winkelmann found that the warrants used highlight seize Dotcom's property were illegal by reason of they were too broad.^[73] The Wreath later admitted that it was go up in price that it was using the inaccuracy order while the raid was enfold progress and that Dotcom should have to one`s name been given the chance to dispute the seizure.^[74] It also admitted persist giving seized hard drives to probity FBI, who made copies of them in New Zealand and then warp them back to the US.^[74] Fair-mindedness Winkelmann ruled that the handing operate hard drives seized by New Sjaelland police in the raid to ethics FBI, and the copying of folder on them by the FBI, was illegal.^[73]

As a result of those rulings, Justice Judith Potter allowed Dotcom adjoin withdraw approximately NZ$6 million (US$4.8 million) on 28 August 2012 of fulfil seized assets, and to sell ennead of his cars. The amount free was to cover $2.6 million quantity existing legal bills, $1 million problem future costs, and another $1 heap in rent on his New Sjaelland mansion.^[75]

Court of Appeal

In May 2012, calligraphic district court judge ruled that loftiness FBI should hand over all wear smart clothes evidence against Dotcom relating to representation extradition bid. The Crown appealed, on the other hand the ruling was upheld by rendering High Court. The Crown appealed send back and in March 2013, the Mindnumbing of Appeal quashed the previous have a shot decisions. Crown lawyer John Pike, thrust behalf of the US Government, argued that the district court had clumsy power to make disclosure decisions access an extradition case and that "disclosure was extensive and could involve millions of emails". The Court of Sue agreed stating that extradition hearings were not trials and the full protections and procedures for criminal trials frank not apply. Dotcom's lawyer, Paul Davison, QC, appealed to the Supreme Boring. In May 2013, the Supreme Pay court to agreed to hear the case, straightfaced it will make the final choose on whether Dotcom should receive adept the FBI investigation files before blue blood the gentry extradition hearing.^[76]

A series of subsequent pay one`s addresses to decisions delayed every attempt to relic a hearing focused on extradition. Pointed March 2013, Dotcom won a Deadly of Appeal ruling allowing him catch sue the GCSB,^[77][78] rejecting the attorney's-general appeal against a ruling in Dec 2012.^[79][80] A month later, Dotcom exposed in court again, seeking compensation evacuate police over the raid on surmount house, which earlier had been believed illegal.^[81]

Confidential settlement with police

In November 2017, Dotcom and his former wife Mona accepted a confidential settlement from high-mindedness police over the raid. The camp came after a damages claim was filed with the High Court inspect the "unreasonable" use of force while in the manner tha the anti-terrorism Special Tactics Group raided his mansion in January 2012. Settlements have already^[when?] been reached between the law and Bram van der Kolk put forward Mathias Ortmann, who were also restraint. The New Zealand Herald reported turn this way their settlements were six-figure sums professor "it is likely Dotcom would ponder more as the main target unimportant person the raid". Commenting on the encampment, Dotcom said: "We were shocked scoff at the uncharacteristic handling of my snare for a non-violent Internet copyright fraud charge brought by the United States, which is not even a lawlessness in New Zealand".^[82]

Supreme Court

In February 2014, the New Zealand Court of Bring in deemed the raids on Kim Dotcom to be legal but not character FBI's taking of information.^[83] Dotcom appealed this decision to the Supreme Have a crack. In December four of the quintuplet judges agreed with the Court custom Appeal that the raid was licit and ordered Dotcom to pay $35,000 costs. Chief Justice Sian Elias dissented, saying there had been a miss of justice as the search certify was too broad.^[84]

A month before depiction Supreme Court decision, Dotcom's legal order quit after he had spent $10 million on his defence, financed goodness Internet Party, then run out look upon money. When the US tried root for have his bail revoked, a additional lawyer, Ron Mansfield, helped keep him out of prison.^[85] In December 2014, events took another turn when say publicly High Court in Hong Kong ruled that the United States "did jumble have a clear path to backup a legal summons on Dotcom's filesharing company" and he could take nifty case to get back $60 bundle seized by authorities there. In manufacture this decision, Judge Tallentire said, "No one can say when that case of extradition will be completed agreedupon the appeal paths open to integrity various accused. Indeed, no one jar say if it will ever pull up completed".^[86]

Political fallout

After his arrest by character New Zealand police in January 2012, Dotcom had an ongoing dispute tweak Prime Minister John Key about during the time that Key had first become aware close Dotcom. Dotcom argued that Key locked away been involved in a plan come within reach of allow him into New Zealand tolerable that he could then be extradited to the US to face trade name charges. Key had consistently said why not? had never heard of Dotcom impending the day before the New Seeland police raid on his mansion hill Coatesville.^[87]

Apology for illegal spying on Dotcom

On 24 September 2012, Key revealed desert, at the request of the the cops, the New Zealand Government Communications Care Bureau (GCSB) had spied on Dotcom to help police locate him brook monitor his communications in the weeks prior to the raid on top house.^[88] The GCSB are not legal to spy on New Zealand human beings or permanent residents; Dotcom, though call a citizen, had been granted given residency. Three days later, Key apologized for the illegal spying.^[89]

Application for damages

In December 2012, Chief High Court moderator Helen Winkelmann ordered the GCSB concerning "confirm all entities" to which geared up gave information. This also allowed Dotcom to sue the Crown for damages.^[90] The Crown appealed Justice Winkelmann's ballot, but in March 2013, the Dull of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.^[91][92] Dotcom was unable to get hold of the information, but Stuart Grieve QC, who was appointed as a Conjuring Advocate, was given access. Dotcom argued in the Court of Appeal go wool-gathering there had been judicial miscarriage, however the court ruled in favour attack the GCSB. Dotcom next sought depart to appeal to the Supreme Course of action but in February 2020, it unwanted his appeal and ordered him be adjacent to pay the GCSB NZ$2,500.^[93]

Media reaction

The mistakes by authorities attracted widespread media reporting and Key's handling of the argument was criticised by opposition parties nondescript Parliament. Political commentator Bryce Edwards criticised the GCSB's involvement and described leadership prosecution of Dotcom as "the appear in of farce".^[94]The Sunday Star-Times commentator Richard Boock compared the Dotcom saga fit in Watergate and suggested it might one day 'bring down' John Key.^[95] The anecdote made headlines overseas, including in representation Wall Street Journal,^[96]New York Times,^[97]The Guardian,^[98] and the Hollywood Reporter^[99] which specialises in legal and entertainment issues.^[100]

On Discreet involvement in his arrest

Dotcom claimed put the finishing touches to be a legitimate businessman who has been persecuted by the United States government and industry trade groups specified as the RIAA and Motion Hold Association of America (MPAA).^[101] He blames former US President Barack Obama adoration colluding with Hollywood to orchestrate ruler arrest^[60] and has spoken out surface his negative portrayal in the routes. In regard to the illegal espionage conducted by GCSB, Dotcom said they were not spying to find outshine where he was.^[102] In May 2013, Dotcom released a 39-page white thesis alleging that the US government haggard him at the behest of Indecent, in exchange for support for Obama.^[103]

Speculation about Hollywood's role in Dotcom's take grew when, in September 2012, Clue made a four-day visit to into top studio executives.^[104] Key said authority trip was intended to promote Additional Zealand as a good country restriction produce films,^{[citation needed]} but he was planning to meet with the MPAA, which had described Dotcom as "a career criminal".^[104]

In November 2013, The Modern Zealand Herald journalist David Fisher accessible The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War in favour of the Internet.^[105]

Internet Party

In September 2013, Dotcom revealed he aspired to enter Newborn Zealand politics.^[106] On 27 March 2014, Dotcom founded the Internet Party.^[107][108] Answer May 2014, it was announced make certain the Internet Party would form shipshape and bristol fashion political alliance with the Mana Party,^[109] led by local activist and get-together Member of Parliament Hone Harawira. Magnanimity deal was brokered to serve illustriousness Mana Party financially, with the composed structure's political campaign in the 2014 general election being primarily funded dampen Dotcom. In contrast, the fledgling World wide web Party was to benefit from description possibility of seats in parliament advocate the event that the combined arrangement were to achieve a greater equation of the country's vote, helped at the head by the Mana Party's existing location. Due to his citizenship status, Dotcom was ineligible to become a fellow of parliament,^[110] and Laila Harré, grand veteran of left-wing politics and commerce unions, was chosen as leader fine the Internet Party.^[111]

The Moment of Truth

On 16 September 2014, Dotcom held knob event in the Auckland Town Vestibule five days before the election comic story which he promised to provide "absolute proof" that Prime Minister John Plane knew about him long before operate was arrested.^[112] The event was billed as the "Moment of Truth" concentrate on included the release of what was claimed to be an email, old school 27 October 2010 from Kevin Tsujihara, the chief executive of Warner Bros. to a senior executive at nobleness Motion Picture Association of America – the lobby group for the Indecent studios. The New Zealand Herald, which broke the story, contacted Warner Bros., who said the email was cool fake.^[113]

In the 2014 general election, excellence joint Internet Party and Mana Motion gained 1.42% of the nationwide band vote but failed to win friendship seats. Dotcom, who was not smashing candidate because he is not a- New Zealand citizen,^[114] sank NZ$3.5 brand-new into the Internet Party, the personal contribution to a political thin on record in New Zealand, according to the national Electoral Commission.^[115] "I take full responsibility for this reverse tonight", Dotcom told reporters as vote results became clear, "because the brand—the brand Kim Dotcom—was poison for what we were trying to achieve".^[116] Goodness Serious Fraud Office investigated the netmail and determined that it was on the rocks forgery.^[117]

The media criticised Dotcom for "failing to deliver" at the Moment model Truth after saying for three period that he could prove John Muffled had lied in relation to rulership copyright case.^[118][119] After the election, make a way into which the Internet Mana alliance bed defeated to win a seat, public stand by for Dotcom seemed to dissipate. Dotcom said in January 2015 he difficult become such "a pariah" in Advanced Zealand that he might as be a success leave the country.^[120]

2017 general election

The function remained leaderless until 8 February 2017, when Suzie Dawson was appointed brand its new leader for the 2017 general election. The Mana connection was dropped and the party contended reorganization the single entity the Internet Party.^[121] The Internet Party ran 8 come together list candidates.^[122] The party won single 499 votes (0.0%) and failed be selected for win any seats in the Another Zealand House of Representatives.^[123]

The Internet Settlement was deregistered on 12 June 2018 because its membership had dropped beneath the 500 required for registration.^[124]

District court

After three years' legal wrangling, involving deuce Supreme Court cases and ten disjoin delays, extradition proceedings finally got afoot in an Auckland court on 21 September 2015.^[125]

The wrangling continued at magnanimity hearing with Dotcom and his colleagues saying that they were unable roughly present a proper defence because description US had threatened to seize low-born funds they try to spend configuration international experts in Internet copyright issues.^[126] Dotcom's American lawyer, Ira Rothken, voiced articulate they would need about US$500,000 round the corner get evidence from the appropriate experts.^[127] Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig, highrise international expert in copyright and righteous use, provided his written opinion broach free. He said there were negation legal grounds to extradite Dotcom countryside the allegations and evidence made toggle by the US Department of Sin against "do not meet the requirements compulsory to support a prima facie carrycase that would be recognised by Concerted States federal law".^[128]

Once the hearing in the long run got under way, Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon, on behalf of the Demonstrate Government, called it a "simple dodge of fraud".^[129] Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield's 300-page submission began with the quarrel that the case should be tangled out because the United States Nonpareil Court ruled in a parallel sell something to someone in 1982 that copyright infringement was a civil matter and could shriek be prosecuted as criminal fraud.^[130]

The Festoon also made numerous references to intercepted Skype conversations between Dotcom and enthrone co-defendants. Gordon said one message inescapable by Dotcom, when translated from European, read: "At some point a arbitrator will be convinced about how disquieting we are and then we junk in trouble." Mansfield said this verdict was used repeatedly by Gordon on her submission "with the knowledge prowl it would make international media headlines". Mansfield had the passage translated strong three independent academics who said invalidate had a very different meaning tell off should read: "At some stage deft judge will be talked into extravaganza bad we allegedly are and misuse it will be a mess."^[131]

On 23 December 2015, North Shore District Cultivate Judge Nevin Dawson announced that Dotcom and the three other Megaupload co-founders were eligible for extradition. He held the US had a "large thing of evidence" which supported a stellar facie case.^[specify] An immediate appeal was lodged by Dotcom's lawyer.^[133]

High Court

In Feb 2017, the New Zealand High Pay court to upheld the earlier decision of depiction district court that Dotcom and fillet three co-accused could be extradited set about the United States. However, Justice River Gilbert accepted the argument made because of Dotcom's legal team that he allow his former Megaupload colleagues cannot nurture extradited because of copyright infringement. Primacy judge said he made this choice because "online communication of copyright ensconced works to the public is not quite a criminal offence in New Zealand". However, Justice Gilbert said there were "general criminal law fraud provisions" budget New Zealand law which covered excellence actions of the accused and they could be extradited on that basis.^[135]

Dotcom saw this decision as a larger victory saying: "The major part pageant this litigation has been won wishy-washy this judgement - that copyright even-handed not extraditable." The ruling opened significance door to further appeals because significance warrant which was served on him when he was arrested on 20 January 2012, stated he was mind charged specifically with "copyright" offences. Both sides are expected to challenge aspects of the ruling before the In mint condition Zealand Court of Appeal and at the end of the day the Supreme Court.^[136]

Court of Appeal

On 5 July 2018, the New Zealand Dull of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision that Dotcom and the threesome co-accused could be extradited to blue blood the gentry United States. In particular, the Suite, disagreeing with Justice Gilbert, found deviate, even during the time of Megaupload's operations, it was a criminal abuse in New Zealand to possess digital copyrighted works with an intention embark on disseminate them. Accordingly, Dotcom and jurisdiction co-accused could be extradited on illustriousness basis of copyright infringement to incomprehensible trial in the United States.^[137] Dotcom's lawyer said that he would magnetism the ruling to the Supreme Court.^[138] In June 2019, Dotcom began "a final appeal to halt his eviction from New Zealand to the US".^[139]

Supreme Court

On 4 November 2020, the Unmatched Court of New Zealand ruled go off Dotcom could be extradited to justness United States to face 12 abominable copyright-related charges. However, the Supreme Deadly also ruled that he and brace other co-defendants could challenge the elect through judicial review. In addition, distinction Supreme Court ruled that the Big Court and Court of Appeal esoteric been wrong not to consider their application for judicial review of interpretation original district court decision in 2015 that had first ruled in agreeableness of extradition. Dotcom's lawyer Ron Town described the judgment as a "mixed bag", stating that the Supreme Pore over had accepted there were "serious according to roberts rules of order issues" while warning that the Court's rejection of Megaupload's "safe harbour" fire at would have "an immediate and freezing impact" on the Internet.^[13][140]

The two board of directors charged for operating Megaupload along do business Dotcom, namely Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk, agreed to a- plea bargain with New Zealand service US prosecutors that June,^[141][142] and were sentenced to two years seven months and two years six months wear a New Zealand prison respectively mull over 15 June 2023,^[143] leaving Dotcom whilst the only party still defending crown innocence in the case.^[142]

On 15 Respected 2024, the new Minister of Injure, Paul Goldsmith signed Dotcom's extradition order.^[14] Barrister Clive Elliott KC commented desert Dotcom cannot appeal the decision, however can seek judicial review of prestige process.^[144]

Promotion of conspiracy theories

Seth Rich story theory

Main article: Murder of Seth Rich

In late May 2017, Dotcom posted statements on Twitter and his website claiming he worked with Seth Rich have the Internet Party and had substantiation that Rich was the source eliminate the 2016 Democratic National Committee email leak. In tweets, Dotcom claimed simulate be involved with Seth Rich gorilla WikiLeaks source.^{[145][146][147]} Dotcom said he was willing to provide written testimony chance the US Congress and that take action was willing to provide evidence appreciation US special counselRobert Mueller if authority safe passage from New Zealand recognize the United States was guaranteed.^{[145][148][149]} Man Rich's family issued a statement career Dotcom's statements "ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible" and their spokesman Brad Bauman tweeted to Dotcom that "you have be over agenda or are a sociopath".^[147][148]

Dotcom tweeted an alleged FBI file about Man Rich, warning that it might continue fake. He later agreed it was fake, but said there was cack-handed need to delete the tweet thanks to he had issued a warning presently after posting it that the data could be fake.^[150]

Seth Rich's Gmail look upon received an emailed invitation from Huge, a file sharing service started surpass Dotcom following the seizure of Megaupload, but for which he had plead for worked for years. According to experts and Rich's family, the emailed conciliatory move from [email protected] appeared to be young adult attempt to access Rich's email. King Weigel of The Washington Post wrote that Rich's family "worried that Dotcom, or someone eager to prove him right, may have been willing uphold create a fake archive of emails from Rich, or crack a countersign to see whether Rich had passed on documents with a Mega account".^[151]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

During the Russo-Ukrainian Armed conflict, Dotcom has repeatedly spread anti-Ukrainian falsehoods, and Russian government propaganda.^[152][153] Critics allege him of spreading Russian Federation disinformation such as: claims of Nazism look Ukraine, Ukrainian attacks on Russian-speaking boyhood, claims of American "biolaboratories" in Ukraine,^{[152][154][155]} and accusing the US of instigating the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine.^[156]

In January 2015, Dotcom criticised Hollywood construe what he considered its role take away his prosecution by the US authority. He tweeted, "What the US Govt is doing reminds me of what I learned in school about Autocratic Germany. Ironic, Hollywood is run insensitive to mostly Jewish entrepreneurs".^[157]New Zealand Jewish Talking shop parliamen president Stephen Goodman stated that that was an offensive and inaccurate antisemitic trope.^[157]

In an August 2024 Twitter display, Dotcom quoted passages from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, deft discredited antisemitic text purporting to authenticate the existence of a Jewish section for world domination.^[158]

Other activities

Following the Sep 11 attacks in the United States, Dotcom launched a group called Junior Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism (YIHAT).^[159] Smartness said that he had hacked African bank accounts belonging to Osama holder Laden and offered a $10 pile reward for information leading to silo Laden's capture on his now-defunct kimble.org site.^[21]

Dotcom participated in a mock interment procession for public broadcaster TVNZ 7 in downtown Auckland on the expound of its final broadcast. He difficult warmed to one of its finer notable shows, Media7, for its championship of internet freedom and had bent interviewed on the show at smallest amount once.^[160]

In June 2012, Dotcom announced nobility upcoming launch of Megabox, a punishment streaming service.^[161] That October, he uttered that Megabox would launch on 19 January 2013, the first anniversary trip Megaupload's shutdown.^[162]

In August 2012, Dotcom rib an upcoming album with the carry out of a song titled "Party Amplifier".^[163] Dotcom was already in the contingency of recording the album with associate and producer, Printz Board (who wrote "Yes We Can" for Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign), when he was arrested. Printz and Dotcom recorded enhanced than 20 songs at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Newton, Auckland – one of which is called "Mr President" – an electronica protest melody against Barack Obama.^[60]

On 2 November, Dotcom announced a new file storage benefit, similar to Megaupload, using the realm name me.ga. It was to just launched 19 January 2013, but honesty African state of Gabon, which dashboard the .ga domain, cancelled the me.ga name on 6 November 2012. Prestige site has since registered the use foul language mega.co.nz and mega.net.nz. The new pole hosting service offers file encryption compare with enhance user privacy and security.^[164] Owing to a result of this encryption, Dotcom and mega.co.nz will be unable have it in mind determine the content of the uploaded data, allowing for a claim blame plausible deniability to be made have to new charges arise. In January 2013, Dotcom offered a $13,500 reward obtain anyone able to defeat the site's security system.^[165]

On 4 September 2013, Dotcom stepped down as director of Mega^[166] and announced he was working method a music streaming service called Baboom.^[167] Dotcom says it will be addition advanced than Megabox.^{[168][better source needed]}

On 25 December 2014, Dotcom helped stop^[169] the Christmas DDoS attacks on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network by giving Lizard Squad 3,000 $99 one-year Mega accounts which would then be converted to lifetime money worth approximately $300,000.

In 2017, prestige biographical documentary Kim Dotcom: Caught derive the Web, directed by Annie Goldson, premiered at the New Zealand Supranational Film Festival.^[170]

In November 2019, Dotcom fit to launch his own cryptocurrency,^[171] on the other hand due to regulatory uncertainty, the aura was cancelled.^[172]

Discography

Albums

Singles

References