Dotcom in bid to tap frozen US funds
Kim Dotcom is trying to unlock money from a frozen US bank account to help pay his legal defence.
Kim Dotcom is trying to unlock money from a frozen US bank account to help pay his legal defence.
Lawyers for the Megaupload founder have confirmed an application will be filed in a US court next week.
Simpson Grierson partner Greg Towers told NBR Online Mr Dotcom's New Zealand legal team was working closely with US lawyers who would be drafting and filing the application and making appearances – at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, Virginia.
The alleged internet pirate is on bail, living at the Chrisco mansion in Coatesville, awaiting a hearing on an extradition order sought by the US.
Last week he succeeded in getting a New Zealand bank account containing $301,758 unfrozen.
High Court Justice Judith Potter ordered the Official Assignee to release $60,000 a month for Kim Dotcom's living expenses, to be paid in installments from the account.
Mr Dotcom was also given use of a 2011 Mercedes Benz G55AMG, one of nine Mercedes in his fleet seized by the Crown following his arrest in January.
Most of his money is not in New Zealand, but in bank accounts offshore.
Mr Towers said it was likely once the US application had been processed, similar applications would be filed in other countries where Mr Dotcom has bank accounts.
The US government wants to extradite Mr Dotcom plus co-accused Mathias Ortmann, Bran van der Kolk and Finn Batato, to the United States, where they would face copyright, money laundering and racketeering charges related to the now defunct internet-sharing website Megaupload.com.
Mr Dotcom’s extradition hearing is set down for August 6 at the North Shore District Court and is expected to draw media from around the world.
Georgina Bond
Wed, 28 Mar 2012
Wed, 28 Mar 2012
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Dotcom in bid to tap frozen US funds
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