Search warrant in Gizmodo iPhone case released to the public

Clifford Cretan, the judge who signed the search warrant in the Gizmodo iPhone case, issued a ruling on Friday that unsealed the contents of the highly controversial Jason Chen search warrant. Most of the details have already been discussed ad nauseum, but a few juciy tidbits have emerged:

• Apple, the company, not an individual employee nor any other entity, reported the missing phone.
• the case was filed, in part, as a trade secrets violation which partially explains why the search was handled by the REACT (Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team) crimes unit.
• Steve Jobs personally called Brian Lam to request the phone’s return. Lam agreed but with the condition that Apple provide a letter confirming the phone belonged to the Cupertino company.
• Brian Hogan, who reportedly found the iPhone at the bar and sold it to Gizmodo, is identified as a suspect.
• Jason Chen is being investigated for possible receipt of stolen property, theft and copying of a trade secret, and destruction of property worth more than $400.
• Hogan was turned in by his roommate, Katherine Martinson, who was afraid of being caught up in this legal mess after Hogan plugged the iPhone prototype into her computer.
• Prior to being searched by the police, Hogan and another roommate, Thomas Warner, hid Hogan’s computer, thumb drive, flash card, and the serial number stickers from the iPhone prototype. These items were found inside a local church, scattered amongst some bushes, and on the ground outside of a convenience store.
• Hogan reportedly claims that Gizmodo paid him $8500 for the phone with a bonus once it was officially unveiled as the new iPhone. Hogan is said to have shown off a box of money totaling $5000 to his roommate.
• No charges have been filed yet but they are expected in the near future. Presumably, Hogan is a focus but there is no word on whether Gizmodo or Chen will be included.

So there it is, folks, our taste of hollywood-style high tech gossip. Hope it keeps you entertained and informed as this lurid interesting story continues to unfold.

[Via Wired]

Read – Unsealed affidavit (.PDF)