Lost Prototype iPhone 4 Case Finally Yields Charges

The case involving technology site Gizmodo and one misplaced iPhone 4 prototype unit is coming to an end, as technology editor Jason Chen and his colleagues are being cleared of all charges, according to parent company, Gawker Media.

Lost by Apple engineer Gray Powell in 2010 on a bar stool, and later found and sold by 22 year old Brian Hogan, the iPhone 4 prototype unit in question can be seen in the above picture.

The person holding it is one of Gizmodo’s technology editors, Jason Chen, whose house was turned upside down by local authorities after his reporting on the newly found device.

His site had reportedly paid $5,000 in cash to enter possession of the unit, but claimed that the website and its employees should be protected under California laws shielding journalists from such actions as connected to the specifics of their work activities.

Today, Gawker Media, parent company of the technology site in question, has issued an official statement clarifying that “the District Attorney of San Mateo County, Steven Wagstaffe, has decided, upon review of all of the evidence, that no crime was committed by the Gizmodo team in relation to its reporting on the iPhone 4 prototype last year.”

“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,” the blog network said.

The district attorney’s statement follows below:

“The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office has filed misdemeanor charges against two individuals for the misappropriation of an iPhone 4 prototype that was lost by an Apple employee and subsequently recovered in a Redwood City establishment by the defendants on March 25, 2010. 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. Their arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 9:00 in Redwood City. After a consideration of all of the evidence, it was determined that no charges would be filed against employees of Gizmodo.”