The founder of online file-sharing site Megaupload.com has asked a New Zealand court to free about NZ$220,000 (US$184,100) in frozen assets to pay for living expenses, including nannies and bodyguards.
Kim Dotcom remains under virtual house arrest in New Zealand after the US failed yesterday to have his bail revoked and the alleged Internet pirate put back in jail pending an extradition hearing.
Dotcom, a German national also known as Kim Schmitz and Kim Tim Jim Vestor, is charged by the US with leading a group which has netted US$175 million since 2005 by copying and distributing music, movies and other copyrighted content without authorization.
Photo: Bloomberg
Dotcom says the company merely offered online storage.
With all his funds frozen, Dotcom yesterday asked for the money to be released to cover lease costs of a sprawling mansion outside Auckland, wages for staff and other living expenses, such as telephone and electricity bills.
The application said that Dotcom spent NZ$1 million a year to lease the country estate, and about NZ$600,000 on maintenance and property costs. He also sought more than NZ$50,000 a month to pay for a nanny, a tutor for an autistic child, personal assistants and four bodyguards.
The New Zealand High Court granted Dotcom an interim payment of about NZ$32,000 to cover immediate living costs, as well as the use of a car, pending a final decision on continuing financial support.
In a separate High Court case, the US appealed against Dotcom’s bail.
The prosecution argued that Dotcom was an extreme flight risk because he has multiple passports, sources of funds, access to various means of travel and a previous history of fleeing to avoid criminal charges.
The court rejected the appeal, saying the electronic bracelet Dotcom must wear, along with other restrictions, were sufficient to allow him to remain free.
“It’s great to be able to return home with my family and I’m looking forward to fight these charges on a level playing field, so indeed I’m very relieved today,” Dotcom said outside the court.
Last week, a lower court placed Dotcom under virtual house arrest in a small house on a corner of the country estate.
Signs at the entrance tell visitors to leave all mobile phones and laptops at the gate, as Dotcom is forbidden from using the Internet as a condition of his bail.
Dotcom, 38, and three others were arrested on Jan. 20 after armed New Zealand police raided his estate at the request of the FBI.
An extradition hearing to send all four to the US for trial has been set for late August.
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