iPhone Prototype Finder Finally Goes Public

Brian J. Hogan, a 21-year-old resident of Redwood City, California, who found and then sold Apple's new iPhone prototype to Gizmodo.com for $5,000, has finally emerged from the shadows, admitting regrets over "Not doing more to return the device to its owner."

News about this infamous man of mystery, came out on Thursday afternoon from a statement delivered to Wired.com from Hogan's Attorney, Jeffrey Bornstein.

“He regrets his mistake in not doing more to return the phone,” Bornstein’s said about Brian Hogan in his statement. “Even though he did obtain some compensation from Gizmodo, Brian thought that it was so that they could review the phone.”

The 'iPhone finder' and his family have reportedly relocated to an undisclosed location in anticipation of a media frenzy surrounding his sudden coming out party. The iPhone prototype originally went missing on March 19th, when Apple Software Engineer, Gray Powell mislaid the device at a German beer garden in Redwood City.

Rather than turning the device into the bar owner, Hogan hung onto it, apparently having much bigger plans in mind. According to the report by Wired.com, Hogan’s friend offered to call Apple Care on Hogan’s behalf in order to return the device. No further efforts were made to return the phone to Apple according to reports.

"The owners of the bar told reporters that Hogan didn’t notify anyone who worked at the bar about the phone. They also said Powell returned several times after losing the phone to see if anyone had found it and turned it in."

It's still too early to know if the San Mateo County district attorney’s office plans to charge Brian J. Hogan or Gizmodo Editor, Jason Chen, with a crime. For now, Hogan's delayed coming out party appears to be an attempt to cool the searing flames surrounding this widely publicized iPhonegate saga. Apple has yet to release a public statement on the matter.

“He made a mistake,” Bornstein added. “He should have just immediately turned that phone in.”

Comments

[Antwoine]

@Shock Me:
Someone did try to search Brian's home first but it was not the cops, it was Apple. Here's what according to Wired who published the story:

"Shortly after Gizmodo published its story, people identifying themselves as representatives of Apple appeared at Hogan’s home seeking permission to search the premises, according to a source involved with the iPhone find. A roommate turned them away."

[Antwoine]

Ca-ching...!
That's the sound of money pot right there:

"The owners of the bar told reporters that Hogan didn’t notify anyone who worked at the bar about the phone. ... He made a mistake. He should have just immediately turned that phone in.”

Not to mention that Brian (the finder pictured above) had a chance to look at Gray Powell's Facebook account, he just simply wanted to make money with his finding.

It's a lesson for everyone, don't take everything that was told / written by bloggers (in this case Gizmodo).

[Shock Me]

So finally we hear about the thief. Too bad the cops couldn't have searched his place first.

Dude, next time just give the phone to the management of the bar instead of taking it home and selling it.

I'm surprised he didn't sell off the SIM card too.