The Gizmodo article posted in April 2010 that had a hands-on look at a prototype for Apple's iPhone 4 was one of the biggest tech stories of the year. It generated questions about both the iPhone itself and how Gizmodo got its hands on the device. Now Gizmodo is reporting that the district attorney in the case has decided not to charge anyone at Gizmodo in this case. However, the District Attorney of San Mateo County, California did say it was filing misdemeanor charges against two people involved in this incident.
The statement said, "Brian Hogan, 22, of Redwood City was charged with one count of misappropriation of lost property, and Sage Wallower, 28, of Emeryville, was charged with misappropriation of lost property, and possession of stolen property." Both men are scheduled to be arraigned on these changes on August 25. Gizmodo has admitted to purchasing the iPhone 4 prototype from Hogan for $5,000 who claimed he found it lying in a bar in Redwood City, California in March 2010. Gizmodo later returned the iPhone 4 prototype back to Apple but not before writing a extensive hands-on article based on its examination of the device.
In a statement today, Gizmodo's owner Gawker Media said they were "pleased" with the district attorney's decision, saying "While we have always believed that we were acting fully within the law, it has inevitably been stressful for the editor concerned, Jason Chen, and we are glad that we can finally put this matter behind us."
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