Who knew what about Kim Dotcom

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Who knew what about Kim Dotcom

3News NZ

Kim Dotcom (Reuters)

Kim Dotcom (Reuters)

Kim Dotcom was, by any standards, an unusual immigrant: Extremely wealthy, extremely large, and extremely loud.

But John Key, in whose electorate Dotcom lived, said until the day before the police raid, he'd never even heard the name Dotcom.

So, the Solicitor General briefed the Prime Minister about the police raid a day before it occurred, and the Prime Minister hadn't heard Kim Dotcom's name prior to that.

Why did the Prime Minister not know about Kim Dotcom? 

Why did senior cabinet ministers, senior officials, and even his own electorate office not tell him about this controversial immigrant until hours before the police raid?

We took a look at the people who did know about Kim Dotcom.

Who knew what, and when?

First, because the Prime Minister himself told us he was briefed by him: The Solicitor General.

The US justice department's official announcement of the Megaupload raids says "substantial and critical assistance was provided by the New Zealand police, the organised and financial crime agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ), the Crown Law Office of New Zealand, and the office of the Solicitor General for New Zealand...."

The FBI tells us that New Zealand police knew, OFCANZ knew, and Crown Law knew, too.

Four offices, with who knows how many people within them, who all knew about Kim Dotcom and his controversial presence in New Zealand.

And of course, as we all know, John Banks knew too.

Banksy was in with Dotcom, and Banksy called his old mate Maurice Williamson.

So, let's add John Banks and Maurice Williamson to the growing list of people who knew about Kim Dotcom.

We can also add Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Immigration, who knew of Dotcom's residency application as far back as 2010, and Associate Finance Minister Simon Power, who over-rode Dotcom's application to buy the Coastville mansion.

The head of immigration also knew - a man called Nigel Bickle, and who knows how many people in immigration under him.

Dotcom clearly fascinates the media, and there were numerous stories about his presence in New Zealand prior to his arrest. His lifestyle, the mansion, his residency application: It all got media attention long before the raid.

He even lit up Auckland’s night sky with a fireworks display.

Prior to his arrest, Kim Dotcom was controversial, but also welcomed into New Zealand under immigration's special investor plus category.

He bought $10 million of government bonds - a big investment for an individual - and he moved in to one of the most famous residences in the country, not that far from National's electorate in Helensville.

Chris was in charge of the building project at the Dotcom mansion. He and another contractor went to John Keys' electorate office, to talk to him about the amount of money Dotcom was spending, the amount of jobs that was creating, and to ask Key for any support he could give.

He spoke to his electorate secretary, and she said she'd pass it all on.

Watch the video to see the full story

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Comments

15/07/2012 10:17:54 p.m.

Kevin Middleton wrote:

Thank you Mr Campbell for trying to expose the rot in this political party,from my own dealings with them as an unemployed dude,they should be arrested & held accountable for miss-management of this country.Lairs are not what we vote for in New Zealand.

9/05/2012 3:26:13 p.m.

Melle Van Winkel wrote:

Kim Dotcom for prime minister! I'm sure he could do a better job than Mr. Clark or Mr. Key, he is definitely more pro-New Zealand than sell-out elitist Key.

7/05/2012 7:33:55 p.m.

Sam S wrote:

Where is John Campbell? He is the reason I watch TV3

7/05/2012 6:58:31 p.m.

Pradip Manchanda wrote:

When John Key moved back to New Zeakand and decided to stand in his current constituency, he would have gone through the list of all rich and influential constituents of Helensville, If he did not, he was negkigent. If he did, he is not telling the truth that he did not know Kim Dotcom till this scandle broke. That is rubish. I wont be surprised if the unforgetable personna of Kim is a significant contributor to John Keys campaign. Please spare us this convenient out of plausible deniability.

5/05/2012 11:50:39 p.m.

Pam Creek wrote:

I watched the John Campbell/John Key interview yesterday and must say that my estimation of John Key has gone right down and for a person who can't remember so many things, then he shouldn't be Prime Minister - really not fit to run a country and I certainly wouldn't be votong for him next time.

5/05/2012 2:15:05 p.m.

Outwitted and gobsmacked wrote:

I certainly think that John Key outwitted John Campbell in the interview - it doesn't happen often but Campbell was clearly left at the end of interview looking absolutely gobsmacked - as if he had fought hard and just had nothing left!

4/05/2012 8:25:00 p.m.

Keileen wrote:

What a great job John Campbell! Sure there were times when John Key seemed to have the upper hand in the interview, but the more Key kept up the pretense of detaching himself from any knowledge or responsibility of his government, was disappointing. This made him appear dishonest, dodgy, and displayed attributes not suited for a Prime Minister of New Zealand. I deeply regret I voted National!

4/05/2012 8:18:46 p.m.

Vince wrote:

John Key MUST front up about this to the public. The facts are conclusive, clear and obvious. As tax payers (we who funded the operation) deserve to be told the truth ! Very embarrising for our PM John Key !

4/05/2012 7:36:29 p.m.

Martin wrote:

Yikes! We have a prime minister who gleefully admits he knows nothing about so many "millions of things" that go on in this country..! Please can we have a leader who knows what goes on. Or is he just too busy performing to bother?

4/05/2012 7:35:37 p.m.

Rochelle wrote:

Thank you for a great presentation and some real investigative journalism. . John Key's lack of action in terms of Banks and his own claims of not being in the loop in regard to knowledge of Dotcom may be convenient for now but such incredible claims may also sow the seeds of mistrust within the minds of those who have blindly followed & accepted the arrogant expediency of this government until now. Oh how a 2nd term in government reveals all.