Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto has taken his fight against Newsweek to the next level, the level that involves lawyers.
Nakamoto has hired an attorney, who on Monday issued a definitive statement denying a March 6 Newsweek report that Nakamoto is the founder of the crypto-currency bitcoin.
"I am writing this statement to clear my name," Nakamoto wrote in a letter issued by Los Angeles lawyer Ethan D. Kirschner. "I did not create, invent or otherwise work on Bitcoin. I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report."
Newsweek did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The magazine, which used the Nakamoto cover story to launch the rebirth of its print magazine with a splash, has stood by the story under withering Internet criticism -- of both reporter Leah McGrath Goodman's techniques and its decision to post personal details about Nakamoto -- and other public denials by Nakamoto.
"I got nothing to do with it," he reportedly said after the story came out.
In his new statement, which he said would be his last public comment on the controversy, Nakamoto said he had struggled with health and financial problems and had not worked as a computer engineer for a decade. He said the Newsweek report had only made matters worse:
"My prospects for gainful employment has been harmed because of Newsweek’s article," he wrote. "Newsweek’s false report has been the source of a great deal of confusion and stress for myself, my 93-year old mother, my siblings, and their families."
Here is the full text of the statement:
My name is Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto. I am the subject of the Newsweek story on Bitcoin. I am writing this statement to clear my name.
I did not create, invent or otherwise work on Bitcoin. I unconditionally deny the Newsweek report.
The first time I heard the term “bitcoin” was from my son in mid-February 2014. After being contacted by a reporter, my son called me and used the word, which I had never before heard. Shortly thereafter, the reporter confronted me at my home. I called the police. I never consented to speak with the reporter. In an ensuing discussion with a reporter from the Associated Press, I called the technology “bitcom.” I was still unfamiliar with the term.
My background is in engineering. I also have the ability to program. My most recent job was as an electrical engineer troubleshooting air traffic control equipment for the FAA. I have no knowledge of nor have I ever worked on cryptography, peer to peer systems, or alternative currencies.
I have not been able to find steady work as an engineer or programmer for ten years. I have worked as a laborer, polltaker, and substitute teacher. I discontinued my internet service in 2013 due to severe financial distress. I am trying to recover from prostate surgery in October 2012 and a stroke I suffered in October of 2013. My prospects for gainful employment has been harmed because of Newsweek’s article.
Newsweek’s false report has been the source of a great deal of confusion and stress for myself, my 93-year old mother, my siblings, and their families. I offer my sincerest thanks to those people in the United States and around the world who have offered me their support. I have retained legal counsel. This will be our last public statement on this matter. I ask that you now respect our privacy.
Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto
Temple City, California
March 17, 2014