We Read the MegaUpload Indictment Papers So You Wouldn’t Have to
In less than 24 hours, Megaupload has gone from the world’s largest broadcaster of pirated material to the most interesting criminal case in US digital law. Megaupload’s seizure came just a few hours after the news broke that its CEO was Swizz fucking Beatz, leaving the world’s head spinning as it struggles to figure out how the guy who left his lady for Alicia Keys and produced this DMX song was at the head of a piracy ring. (Update: Fader is reporting that this is untrue.)
Almost immediately after Megaupload was shut down, Anonymous responded by crashing the websites of the FBI, MPAA, RIAA and Universal Music Group. A lot of people in “the media” have been talking about the case today, but no one seems to have taken the time to read through the leaked 72-page US government document regarding the indictment. What with Megaupload down, we had nothing better to do so we read the whole thing cover to cover. Here are the juicy details:
- Megaupload spent $2.4 million on yacht rentals in June 2011 alone.
- The US government is after $175 million in assets, including 59 different bank accounts. Many of them Chinese. Two are from Citibank.
- The US is looking for at least 14 Benzes, a Predator statue, two 108 inch TVs, a Seadoo, a 1957 Cadillac, a Maserati, and a Mini Cooper.
-Kim owned a Rolls Royce Phantom with a license plate that read “GOD.” Some of the tags on his other cars included: GUITLY, STONED, GOOD, CEO, MAFIA, and HACKER.
Pretty much sounds like the best company ever. Ball til you fall.
Nice. Go big, or go home.
Hey guys, I found the Predator statue, it’s on 7th street. I assume there’s some sort of reward?
