Here’s the Guy Who Found Apple’s 4G iPhone

Brian J. Hogan, a 21-year-old resident of Redwood City, California, has been identified by Wired.com as the finder of Apple’s prototype iPhone by following clues on social-network sites, while working with a source involved in the iPhone find. Hogan says he regrets not doing more to return the device to Apple, and claims that he sold the prototype unit to Gizmodo believing the payment was for allowing the site exclusive access to review it.

According to a statement provided by Hogan’s attorney, Jeffrey Bornstein, on Thursday, “Hogan was in the bar with friends when another patron handed him the phone after finding it on a nearby stool.” The report revealed, “The patron asked Hogan if the phone belonged to him, and then left the bar. Hogan asked others sitting nearby if the phone belonged to them, and when no one claimed it, he and his friends left the bar with the device.” One of Hogan’s friends reportedly offered to call Apple Care on Hogan’s behalf in an effort to return the phone, but, somewhere along the line, they allegedly hit a roadblock.

Several publications and tech journalists were then offered to analyze the device, one of which was Wired.com, which received an email on March 28 with an invitation to have access to it. The paper refused. Then, Gizmodo got its hands on it, according to the story.

Hogan’s attorney reportedly told Wired that, “Although he was paid by tech site Gizmodo, he believed the payment was for allowing the site exclusive access to review the phone. Gizmodo emphasized to him ‘that there was nothing wrong in sharing the phone with the tech press.’” “He regrets his mistake in not doing more to return the phone,” Bornstein’s words were. “Even though he did obtain some compensation from Gizmodo, Brian thought that it was so that they could review the phone.”

Although Hogan has been interviewed by law enforcement investigators, he has not been charged with a crime as of yet, Wired reports. His attorney also revealed to the press that Hogan and his family had relocated in anticipation of a media frenzy. “This thing has gotten completely, completely out of control,” Bornstein said. “He made a mistake,” Bornstein added. “He should have just immediately turned that phone in.”