Gizmodo Editors Won't Be Charged Over iPhone 4 Leak

Prosecutors announced that two others will face misdemeanors

Nobody from tech blog Gizmodo will face charges over a story last year detailing the iPhone 4 prototype, according to a press release from the San Mateo County District Attorney's office. Two other people were charged with misappropriation of lost property, a misdemeanor: Brian Hogan, who allegedly found the device in a bar, and Sage Wallower, who shopped the iPhone to media outlets. After Gizmodo said it paid $5,000 for the prototype, one of its editors, Jason Chen, had his home raided by police and his computers seized. Gizmodo parent company Gawker Media issued a statement in response to the news.

We are pleased 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.