Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 1 of 38

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

IRA KLEIMAN, as the personal
representative of the Estate of Dave
Kleiman,
Plaintiff,
v.
CRAIG WRIGHT
Defendant.

CASE NO.:
COMPLAINT AND
JURY DEMAND

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 2 of 38

Plaintiff, Ira Kleiman, brings this action as the personal representative of
David Kleiman’s estate. The following allegations are based on personal knowledge
as to his own acts and observations and are made on information and belief as to all
other matters based upon the undersigned counsels’ investigation:
INTRODUCTION
1.

This matter concerns the rightful ownership of hundreds of thousands of
bitcoins1 and the valuable intellectual property rights of various blockchain
technologies. As of the date of filing, the value of these assets far exceed
$5,118,266,427.50 USD (before punitive or treble damages).

2.

At the heart of these claims is the relationship between Craig Wright (“Craig”)
and David Kleiman (“Dave”). This relationship, born out of a mutual obsession
with cryptography and data security, remained mostly hidden from the outside
world. Craig, a computer scientist in Australia, and Dave, a paralyzed IT
security expert in Pam Beach, Florida, communicated almost exclusively
through various private email accounts.

3.

Bitcoin is the world’s first decentralized cryptocurrency. The concept and
technology behind Bitcoin was first published in October 2008 when its
pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, sent the now famous protocol to a

The term “Bitcoin” can refer to both a computer protocol and a unit of exchange. Accepted
practice is to use the term “Bitcoin” to label the protocol, software, and community, and the term
“bitcoins” to label the units of exchange.
1

2

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 3 of 38

mailing list of cryptography enthusiasts. That protocol has since spawned a
system of value and exchange with a current market cap of ~$150 billion.
4.

It is unclear whether Craig, Dave, and/or both created Bitcoin. For reasons not
yet completely clear, they chose to keep their involvement in Bitcoin hidden
from most of their family and friends. It is undeniable, however, that Craig and
Dave were involved in Bitcoin from its inception and that they both
accumulated a vast wealth of bitcoins from 2009 through 2013.

5.

In April 2013, mere months prior to Bitcoin’s entry into the mainstream, Dave
died after a long battle with MRSA. At the time of his death, no one in his
family was aware of the extent of his involvement in creating Bitcoin. Nor were
they aware that he had accumulated, with Craig, an incredible sum of bitcoins.

6.

Recognizing that Dave’s family and friends weren’t aware of this, Craig
perpetrated a scheme against Dave’s estate to seize Dave’s bitcoins and his
rights to certain intellectual property associated with the Bitcoin technology.

7.

As part of this plan, Craig forged a series of contracts that purported to transfer
Dave’s assets to Craig and/or companies controlled by him. Craig backdated
these contracts and forged Dave’s signature on them.

8.

Shortly after Dave’s death on April 26, 2013, Craig reached out to Ira, Dave’s
brother. Craig disclosed he had partnered with Dave to create Bitcoin, mine
bitcoin, and create valuable IP. But, he claimed Dave signed all these property
3

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 4 of 38

rights away in exchange for non-controlling share of a non-operational
Australian company worth “millions.” Craig told Ira he’d be able to sell Dave’s
stake in the company in a few months.
9.

This was a lie. The company went bankrupt after Craig apparently misled the
Australian Tax Office (“ATO”).

10. The ATO’s investigation of Craig led them to raid Craig’s home in late 2015.
Craig fled Australia for London.
11. Since fleeing to London, Craig has lived a life of fame and fortune. In May
2016, he publicly revealed himself as the alleged creator of Bitcoin. He
currently serves as Chief Scientist of nChain, a UK company purporting to be
the global leader in research and development of blockchain technologies. He
also regularly posts pictures to his social media accounts of his lavish lifestyle.
12. To date, Craig has not returned any of the mined bitcoins or intellectual property
rights belonging to Dave’s estate. This action is brought to rectify that injustice.
PARTIES
13. Plaintiff Ira Kleiman is a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida. He is Dave’s
brother and the personal representative of his Estate.
14. Defendant Craig Steven Wright is a resident of London, United Kingdom. He
is Dave’s former business partner in W&K Info Defense Research LLC, a
company operating in the state of Florida and formed pursuant to its laws. This

4

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 5 of 38

Court has personal jurisdiction over Craig pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 48.193 as he
operated, conducted, engaged in, and carried on a business venture in this state;
committed tortious acts within the state; and caused injury to persons and
property within this state at or about the time he was engaged in solicitation and
service activities within the state.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
15. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1332 as the parties are completely diverse in citizenship and the amount in
controversy exceeds $75,000.
16. Venue lies within this District under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because a substantial
part of the events giving rise to these claims occurred in this District. These
events are included, but not limited to: the wrongful taking of property
belonging to a Florida estate within this District; the operation of W&K Info
Defense Research LLC by Dave and Craig within this District; the mining of a
substantial amount of bitcoins through the use of computer equipment located
within this District; and the development of certain blockchain related
intellectual property within this District.

5

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 6 of 38

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
BITCOIN
17. Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency with a current market cap of ~$150
billion as of February 14, 2018.2 At its core, Bitcoin is simply a giant ledger
that tracks the ownership and transfer of every bitcoin in existence. This ledger
is called the bitcoin blockchain.
18. In order to transact with bitcoins, you must have a bitcoin wallet. Like a bank
account number, each bitcoin wallet has a “public key” that is the “address”
provided if one would like to receive bitcoin from others. Every wallet can be
identified on the blockchain (by referring to its “public key”) along with the
number of bitcoins inside that particular wallet.
19. Each wallet is also assigned a “private key.” Unlike public keys, private keys
are only known by the individual who creates the bitcoin wallet. The private
key is like the “password” to the wallet. To send bitcoin out of a wallet, an
individual must have the private key associated with the bitcoin wallet. This is
similar to the manner in which one must have a PIN to withdraw cash from an
ATM.
20. There are two methods of acquiring bitcoin. The first involves simply receiving
bitcoin from someone who has. In fact, there are many businesses that operate

2

https://coinmarketcap.com/.

6

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 7 of 38

“bitcoin exchanges,” such as coinbase.com, which is a bitcoin marketplace
where individuals can purchase bitcoins with their native currency from other
individuals looking to sell.
21. The second way one can acquire bitcoin is by “mining” them.
22. There is no centralized authority that curates the bitcoin blockchain.
Consequently, the protocol has to incentivize individuals to curate the
blockchain, i.e., to update the “ledger” with new transactions as they take place.
This process is called “bitcoin mining.”
23. Anyone with internet access can “mine bitcoins” by employing computer power
to solve a complex mathematical problem. The first “miner” who solves the
problem gets the right to add a block of recent transactions to the blockchain,
i.e., the right to update the ledger. In return for this work, the protocol pays the
successful miner in newly minted bitcoin (the number of which is fixed by a
pre-existing algorithm). This process is repeated every 10 minutes or so,
ensuring an accurate and up to date record of all bitcoin transactions.
24. When the Bitcoin protocol was first launched in January 2009, the protocol paid
the successful miner 50 bitcoins for each block of transactions processed. This
mining reward is cut in half approximately once every four years. Today, the
mining reward 12.5 bitcoins. Obviously, it was easier to amass significant
amounts of bitcoin in 2009, than now.
7

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 8 of 38

25. To date almost 17 million of the total 21 million bitcoins have been mined.
HISTORY OF BITCOIN
26. On October 31 2008, a white paper authored under the pseudonymous name
Satoshi Nakamoto (“Satoshi”) titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash
System was posted to a mailing list of cryptography enthusiasts. This paper
detailed novel methods of using a peer-to-peer network to generate what it
described as “a system for electronic transactions without relying on trust.”
27. Less than three months later, the system outlined became a reality. On January
3, 2009, Satoshi mined the first 50 bitcoins. To place a timestamp on the
occasion, Satoshi left a text message digitally encoded on these first 50 bitcoins
that read, “The Times 3 January 2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for
banks,” referring to that day’s headline in the British newspaper, The Times.
28. Hal Finney, one of the first supporters and adopters of Bitcoin, downloaded the
bitcoin software that same day, and received 10 bitcoins from Satoshi in the
world’s first bitcoin transaction.
29. Satoshi also created a website under the domain name bitcoin.org and continued
to collaborate with other developers on the bitcoin protocol until mid-2010.
Around this time, he handed control of the bitcoin source code repository to
Gavin Andresen, another active member of the bitcoin development
community, and disappeared. The last confirmed email from Satoshi was sent

8

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 9 of 38

on April 23, 2011. It read, “I’ve moved on to other things. It’s in good hands
with Gavin and everyone.”
30. For most of its early history, bitcoins were of relatively little value. Famously,
the first documented commercial bitcoin transaction occurred when developer
Laszlo Hanyecz used 10,000 bitcoin to purchase two Domino’s pizzas on May
22, 2010. At today’s prices, those two pizzas would be worth approximately
1% of Domino’s total market cap.
31. During Bitcoin’s early history, cryptocurrencies were a niche technology with
a small development community. Consequently, there was little competition
for maintaining the ledger or “mining bitcoin.” Thus, individuals mining
bitcoin through 2013 could expend relatively minor resources to accumulate
large sums of bitcoin.
32. It has been widely reported that Satoshi Nakamoto mined approximately 1
million bitcoins during this time.3
BACKGROUND ON PARTIES AND KEY INDIVIDUALS
33. Dave Kleiman was born in 1967. Obsessed with computers and technology at
an early age, he joined the U.S. Army in 1986 as a helicopter technician.

3

See
e.g.
http://time.com/money/5002378/bitcoin-creator-nakamoto-billionaire/;
http://www.businessinsider.com/satoshi-nakamoto-owns-one-million-bitcoin-700-price-2016-6;
https://eklitzke.org/how-many-bitcoins-did-satoshi-nakamoto-mine.

9

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 10 of 38

34. A few years after being honorably discharged, Dave got into a serious
motorcycle accident which left him physically handicapped and wheelchairbound. After this accident, Dave’s interest in computers intensified, and he
began to build a reputation in computer forensics and secure network
infrastructures.
35. Dave began working in the information technology security sector in 1990. He
was a frequent speaker at national security conferences and was a regular
contributor to many security related newsletters, websites, and online forums.
36. Dave was a member of several computer security organizations, including the
International Association of Counter Terrorism and Security Professionals
(IACSP), International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners (ISFCE),
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), High
Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), Network and Systems
Professionals Association (NaSPA), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
(ACFE), Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB), and ASIS International.
37. Dave was also a Secure Member and Sector Chief for Information Technology
at The FBI’s InfraGard and a Member and Director of Education at the
International Information Systems Forensics Association (IISFA). When he
attended conferences, he was known as “Dave Mississippi,” a nickname
referring to the long string of three letter certificates that followed his name.
10

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 11 of 38

38. He co-authored and was the technical editor of numerous publications,
including Perfect Passwords: Selection, Protection and Authentication,4 and
Security Log Management: Identifying Patterns in the Chaos.5
39. In 2010, Dave was hospitalized. He was in and out of medical facilities due to
MRSA infected sores. On March 22, 201 3, Dave signed out of the hospital
against medical advice. He was unstable and nearing death. A friend asked
him if the Hospital had discharged him and he responded with “no . . . I told the
doctors to go fuck themselves.”6 On April 26, 2013, Dave passed away.
40. Ira Kleiman is Dave’s brother and the personal representative of his estate.
41. Craig is a 46-year-old Australian computer scientist and businessman. Craig
began his career in information technology working for various entities in
Australia, including the Australian Securities Exchange.
42. In May 2016, Craig claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto—the pseudonymous name
behind the creation of Bitcoin.
DAVE AND CRAIG’S RELATIONSHIP
43. Dave and Craig met in an online cryptography forum in 2003. Both men had a
longtime interest in cyber security, digital forensics, and the future of money.

4

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Passwords-Selection-ProtectionAuthentication/dp/1597490415.
5

https://www.amazon.com/Security-Log-Management-Identifying-Patterns/dp/1597490423.

6

https://gizmodo.com/the-strange-life-and-death-of-dave-kleiman-a-computer-1747092460.

11

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 12 of 38

44. For years, they communicated on various topics related to the internet and file
sharing. For example, in 2007, they coauthored a paper on the mechanics of
overwriting hard drive data.7
45. Around that time, they began to speak about ways to use peer-to-peer file
sharing, infamously used by the Napster music sharing service, to solve some
of the most difficult issues in cryptography.
46. In March 2008, just a few months before Satoshi’s paper on the Bitcoin protocol
was published, Craig wrote Dave an email stating: “I need your help editing a
paper I am going to release later this year. I have been working on a new form
of electronic money. Bit cash, Bitcoin . . . [y]ou are always there for me Dave.
I want you to be part of it all.”8
47. After leaving his job in late 2008, Craig wrote to Dave: “I need your help. You
edited my paper and now I need to have you aid me build this idea.” (Ex. 1 at
30). For the next few months, Craig and Dave worked to get Bitcoin
operational.
48. On January 12, 2009, Craig, Dave, and two others sent each other bitcoin
transactions recorded on the blockchain. (Ex. 1 at 31).

7

https://www.vidarholen.net/~vidar/overwriting_hard_drive_data.pdf.

8

https://gizmodo.com/the-strange-life-and-death-of-dave-kleiman-a-computer-1747092460.

12

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 13 of 38

49. On Thanksgiving Day 2009, Dave told Ira he was creating “digital money” with
a wealthy foreign man, i.e., Craig.
50. In April 2013, Dave was found dead in his home. The scene of Kleiman’s death
was gruesome. His body was decomposing, there were wheelchair tracks of
blood and fecal matter, open bottles of alcohol, and a loaded handgun next to
him. A bullet hole in his mattress was found. The exact details surrounding his
death remain unknown.
51. After Dave’s death, Craig posted an emotional video on Craig’s YouTube
channel.

In the video, Craig narrates footage from Dave’s various TV

appearances, growing increasingly emotional. At the end, Craig concludes
“I’m proud to say I knew Dave Kleiman . . . I’ll miss you, Dave. You were my
friend, and I’ll miss you.”9
52. On December 8, 2015, two popular tech publications, Wired and Gizmodo,
outed Craig as Satoshi.10 Both articles also articulated Dave’s integral role in
the development of Bitcoin. They described numerous details and leaked
communications implicating David and Craig’s roles in creating and

9

https://gizmodo.com/this-australian-says-he-and-his-dead-friend-invented-bi-1746958692.

10

https://www.wired.com/2015/12/bitcoins-creator-satoshi-nakamoto-is-probably-this-unknownaustralian-genius/; https://gizmodo.com/this-australian-says-he-and-his-dead-friend-invented-bi1746958692.

13

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 14 of 38

developing bitcoin; they also discussed their accumulation of a vast hoard of
bitcoin.
53. On May 2, 2016, nearly five months after the Wired and Gizmodo publications,
Craig published a blog post in which he claimed to be Satoshi.11
54. Craig has readily admitted Dave was intimately involved in the creation of
Bitcoin. In numerous interviews with Andrew O’Hagan, documented in The
Satoshi Affair, Craig told O’Hagan that “[Craig] did the coding and that
Kleiman helped him to write the white paper.” (Ex. 1 at 30).
55. From their collaboration in 2008 until Dave’s death in 2013, Craig and Dave
would go on to mine over a million of the initial bitcoins.
W&K INFO DEFENSE AND RESEARCH LLC
56. On February 14, 2011, over two years after the first bitcoins were mined, Dave
formed W&K Info Defense Research LLC (“W&K”) in Florida (company
number: L11000019904). The Articles of Incorporation for W&K list Dave as
the sole member of the LLC. (Ex. 2). Dave was also listed as the registered
agent for W&K and his home address was listed as its place of business. (Id.)

11

https://qz.com/674129/an-australian-nobody-claims-to-be-the-inventor-of-bitcoin-but-no-oneknows-for-sure/ .

14

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 15 of 38

57. However, in an email to Ira on February 15, 2014, Craig represented that “Dave
owned 50% of [W&K].” (Ex. 3). Craig did not identify in this email who
owned the other half.
58. According to documents produced by Craig, W&K engaged in the business
“known as Bitcoin mining and Software development / Research.” (Ex. 4).
59. Craig identified certain R&D projects and the associated intellectual property
owned by W&K. (Ex. 3).
60. On March 28, 2014, nearly a year after Dave died, W&K was reinstated by an
individual named Uyen Nguyen (“Uyen”). (Ex. 5). Uyen removed Dave as the
registered agent for W&K and listed herself. Id. Uyen added both herself and
an entity named Dr. Coin-Exch Pty Ltd. as authorized persons for W&K.
61. On September 23, 2016, W&K was administratively dissolved by Uyen. 12
DAVE OWNED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF BITCOIN
62. The exact number of bitcoins belonging to Dave’s estate will be determined at
trial. That said, various documents including private emails and transcripts
from 2014 Australian Tax Office (“ATO”) meetings with Craig, his counsel,
and his accountant evidence Dave and Craig owned and controlled over
1,100,000 Bitcoins.

12

https://www.flbusinessgo.com/gg?utm_term=L11000019904.

15

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 16 of 38

63. In a 2015 article, Gizmodo reported it had confirmed the authenticity of an email
from Craig to Dave’s other business partners stating that Dave “had mined an
enormous amount of bitcoins – an amount ‘too large to email.’” In the email,
Craig asked Dave’s business partners to secure Dave’s hard drives and check
for Bitcoin wallet files. He later stated he wasn’t after the funds, and only
wanted to ensure the bitcoins entered Dave’s estate.13
64. Minutes from a February 26, 2014 meeting between the ATO and Craig’s
bookkeeper obtained by Gizmodo confirm that Dave owned a substantial
amount of bitcoins. At the meeting, Craig’s accountant, John Chescher, stated:
Craig Wright had mined a lot of [b]itcoins . . . Craig had gotten
approximately 1.1 million [b]itcoins. There was a point in time,
when he had . . . around 10% of all the [b]itcoins out there. Mr
Kleiman would have had a similar amount. However, Mr Kleiman
passed away during that time. (Ex. 6 at 3).
65. Further, meeting minutes from a February 18, 2014 meeting between the ATO
and Craig’s bookkeeper also obtained by Gizmodo further reveal that Craig has
let others understand that he took ownership of Dave’s bitcoin. The ATO
investigator states:
We thought yes, you’ve picked up some bitcoin ownership from
the deceased director so we were trying to, you know, get the
picture and connect all the dots. (Ex. 7 at 19).

13

https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/12/this-australian-says-he-and-his-dead-friend-inventedbitcoin/.

16

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 17 of 38

66. As reflected in the February 18, 2014 transcript, in the meeting, Craig’s counsel
states that the bitcoins W&K mined was held by Seychelles, Singapore, and UK
trusts. As Dave owned between 50% to 100% of W&K, at least half of the
bitcoins transferred to the trusts belonged to Dave.
In 2009 the mining of bitcoin commences *** 2011, bitcoin was
transferred overseas. R and D then conducted in the US under –
by a joint venture company formed as . . . effectively info defence
research LOC. Bitcoin mining continues throughout 2011. The
bitcoins are derived by companies in Singapore and the Seychelles
or entities in Singapore and the Seychelles, and they're actually
trusts. Trustee companies and trusts established - or trustee
companies in the United Kingdom and other trusts established in
the Seychelles. Further work was planned. In early April 2013
unfortunately Dave . . . dies in the US towards the end of April
2013. (Id. at 6).
67. Years later, Craig admitted to Andrew O’hagan that “his and Kleiman’s mining
activity ha[d] led to a complicated trust.” (Ex. 1 at 35).
68. In a 2012 email Craig forwarded to Ira, Craig wrote to Dave reaffirming the
joint nature of the bitcoin held in trust (emphasis added):
From: Craig Wright [mailto:craig@rcjbr.org]
Sent: Wednesday, 10 October 2012 4:55 PM
To: Dave Kleiman [mailto:dave@davekleiman.com]
Subject: FW: IFIP-WG11.9 CFP
We need to discuss the trsut [sic] and work out what the fuck we
are doing with it all. So, a good tax deductible way to have a visit
and also write a paper. (Ex. 7(a))
69. In fact, Craig consistently referred to the trust as both Craig and Dave’s, for
example in another email Craig forwarded to Ira (emphasis added):
17

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 18 of 38

From: Craig S Wright
To: dave@davekleiman.com
Subject: This week
Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 09:45:31 +1000
Dave,
A recycled rant. I have done the same to Ramona . . . The meeting
with the AAT should have occurred weeks ago, but the ATO
have stalled and put it off. John has all the materials and the ATO
are simply BS’ing again. It costs me money and in a way I guess
they want to get a result through attrition rather than honesty.
They will drain all I have if they can. We do not touch the
trusts. Not yet. Not even for this. ONE DAY, they will change
the world. Not millions, not billions. If I am right, they will be
trillions and let them try shit on us then. FUCKING DICKS.
Bloody lying ATO cock sucking bastards! They lost evidence
and use my temper against me. I hate their lies. I did everything
right and I am STILL punished. . . (Ex. 8).
70. Finally, in a 2014 email exchange with Ira, Craig admitted that at least 300,000
of the 1,000,000+ bitcoins held in trust belong to David:
From: Ira K <REDACTED@REDACTED>
To: Craig S Wright <craig.wright@hotwirepe.com>
Subject: Bond villains
Date: Sat Mar 01 19:42:27 +0000 2014
Just to clarify on thoughts from previous email... In one of the
email exchanges between Dave and you, he mentioned that you
had 1 million Bitcoins in the trust and since you said he has
300,000 as his part. I was figuring the other 700,000 is yours. Is
that correct?
Ira
--From: Craig S Wright <craig.wright@hotwirepe.com>
To: Ira K <REDACTED@REDACTED>
Subject: Re: Bond villains
18

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 19 of 38

Date: Sat Mar 01 20:00:48 +0000 2014
Around that. Minus what was needed for the company's use
Sent from my HTC. (Ex. 9).
71. As discussed below in more detail, Craig provided fraudulent contracts to the
ATO in an attempt to substantiate his ownership of bitcoins and IP assets that
belonged to Dave. Their authenticity aside, however, these “contracts”
produced by Craig constitute his admission that Dave, Craig, and W&K
collectively owned hundreds of thousands of bitcoins.
72. For example, a 2011 contract produced by Craig includes a provision stating
W&K expected to mine new bitcoin at a rate of 12,000 bitcoins per month for
a period of over two years (312,000 bitcoin). (Ex.10).
73. Further, a 2012 contract produced by Craig lists Bitcoin wallets containing over
650,000 bitcoins. Next to the list of wallets and total bitcoin held, there is a
handwritten annotation stating: “as agreed, all wallets to be held in UK in trust
until all regulatory issues solved and Group Company formed with Dave K and
CSW.” (Ex. 11 at 8). This annotation is in Craig’s handwriting.
74. A 2013 contract contains Craig’s admission that W&K’s “[o]wnership is 50%
in [Dave’s] name and 50% in trust held for [Craig].” (Ex. 4 at 2). And that
W&K “is the owner and conducts the business known as Bitcoin mining and
Software development / Research.” (Id.)

19

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 20 of 38

AFTER DAVE’S DEATH, CRAIG FRAUDULENTLY CONVERTED THE BITCOIN AND IP
THAT BELONGED TO DAVE
75. After Dave’s death, Craig concocted a scheme to claim sole ownership of all
bitcoins owned by Dave, to steal Dave’s share of IP assets that belonged to
Dave and Craig jointly through W&K.
76. To accomplish this scheme, he drafted and backdated at least three contracts to
create a paper trail purporting to document that many of Dave’s bitcoins and IP
rights were to be transferred, sold, and/or returned to himself. Specifically, he
fraudulently created:
a.

2011 contract titled “Intellectual Property License Funding
Agreement” (the “2011 IP Agreement”) (Ex. 10);

b.

2012 contract titled “Deed of Loan” (the “2012 Deed of Loan”)
(Ex. 10); and

c.

2013 contract titled “Contract for the Sale of Shares of a Company
Owning Business” (the “2013 W&K Sale Agreement”) (Ex. 4).

20

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 21 of 38

77. On their face, these contracts strain credulity in a number of manners.
78. First, the electronic signatures that appear on these documents are substantially
different than known examples of Dave’s electronic and written signatures:
Authentic Signatures
2/1/201314 & 7/30/200315 & 2/22/2012

Signature on Fraudulent Contracts
4/22/2011 & 04/2/2013

79. In reality, this signature appears to be a near identical copy of a computergenerated font called Otto, available here: https://www.wfonts.com/font/otto.
When computer generated, this Otto font produces the signature:

14
15

See Ex. 19 (signature on Computer Forensics LLC Operating Agreement).
See Ex. 20 (signature on Dave’s last will and testament).

21

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 22 of 38

80. When confronted with this information by Ira, Craig admitted the signature was
computer generated, but claimed there were other ways to prove its veracity.
81. Craig has never provided additional evidence of their legitimacy.
82. Second, the fraudulent signatures aren’t witnessed or notarized. Even the most
un-sophisticated parties would understand that a contract purporting to release
and transfer property valued at eight figures should be substantiated in some
way with witnesses and/or notaries.
83. Third, the terms of the 2011 IP Agreement are nonsensical. While it purports
to “finance” W&K through the transfer of around 215,000 bitcoin, and requires
W&K to “fund the software development using bitcoin,” there was essentially
nothing that could be purchased with bitcoins at that time. Thus, no one could
“finance” or “fund” anything with bitcoins then. This calls the 2013 Sales
Contract’s purported “release” of this nonsensical “financing arrangement” into
question.
84. Fourth, the 2011 IP Agreement, the 2012 Deed of Loan, and the 2013 W&K
Sale Agreement conflict with each other. The 2011 IP Agreement provides that
Bitcoin wallet 1933***XYa8 would be held by Craig in escrow and revert to
him if W&K defaulted, but the 2013 W&K Sale Agreement provides that it will
be “released to” Craig despite satisfaction of the liability, and the 2012 Deed of

22

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 23 of 38

Loan shows the wallet being placed into a trust by Craig with a notation that it
be held there until Dave and Craig can set up joint-companies later.
85. Fifth, the 2013 agreement references 250,000 bitcoin and then 250,500 bitcoin
as the amount of bitcoin Dave was to transfer to Craig.
86. Lastly, many of the contractual terms are extremely convenient for Craig. For
example, the 2011 IP Agreement provides for confidentiality even from family
members, stipulates the value of 215,000 bitcoin at 40,000,000 (when it was
really worth around ~$250,000), and includes a “typo” showing the date as
2013, and amending it by hand to 2011 (likely because it was written in 2013).
87. These internal red flags are rendered even more suspicious by the fact that the
2013 agreement was purportedly signed a mere 10 days after Dave left the VA
hospital, and no more than three weeks before he died.
88. Craig has a documented history of backdating contracts and documents to suit
his needs. In its 2015 audit of Coin-Exch, the ATO assessed tax liability and
penalties against Craig for providing recklessly misleading tax information.
Among other wrongs, the ATO found Craig had backdated numerous
documents. (Ex. 12):
a.

“Craig Wright, has admitted that he backdated these invoices”;

b.

“the court case was not finalised until 6 Nov 2013; after the deed
date of 22 August 2013. That is, the licence agreement makes
23

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 24 of 38

specific reference to an event which had not yet occurred, raising
questions as to its validity”;
c.

“[Craig’s trust] purports to have acquired the software . . . from
Craig Wright, pursuant to a contract . . . which predates its
existence and establishment as a trust.”;

d.

“Craig Wright purports to have received a loan of 650,000
Bitcoin from the Seychelles Trust pursuant to a Deed of Loan
entered into with the Trustee for the Seychelles Trust; a company
called Design by Human Ltd (DBH). However, records show
Craig Wright was only informed of the existence of this company
on a date after the purported Deed of Loan was entered into.”;

e.

“Furthermore, information obtained from Her Majesty’s
Revenue and Customs . . . suggests [Craig] backdated the
Directorship of Uyen Nguyen and Dave Kleiman.”

89. In addition, during the February 18, 2014 interview with Craig by the ATO,
Craig admitted that he backdated certain tax invoices. (Ex. 7). Further, Wired
has written that Craig likely backdated numerous blog posts to further his claim
of being Satoshi.16

16

https://www.wired.com/2015/12/new-clues-suggest-satoshi-suspect-craig-wright-may-be-ahoaxer/.

24

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 25 of 38

CRAIG SECURES DEFAULT JUDGMENTS AGAINST W&K WITH FRAUDULENT
CONTRACTS

90. In July and August 2013, Craig filed two claims in New South Wales Supreme
Court against W&K for ~$28 million each. (Ex. 13).
91. In both claims, Craig alleged that W&K agreed to pay Craig for property and
consulting services necessary to “complete research” and that this contract was
“bonded against the intellectual property of [W&K].” (Id. at 2, 8). The
pleadings alleged that “the contract stated that a breach would lead to liquidated
damages [and if] the liquidated amount is not paid all IP systems returns to the
sole ownership of [Craig].” (Id. at 3, 9). The complaints alleged that the IP at
issue was the “software and code used in the creation of a Bitcoin system” and
“used by the US Military, DHS and other associated parties.” (Id.)
92. These claims, submitted by Craig, are based on demonstrably false factual
allegations.
93. The July 2013 claim alleges the existence of an October 27, 2008 contract
between Craig and W&K, claiming that “[W&K] agreed to pay [Craig] for
property and consulting services.” (Id. at 2). However, W&K did not exist in
2008.
94. Also, the July 2013 claim alleges:
“[Craig] conducted four projects associated with the DHS (Dept. of
Homeland Security USA) with [W&K] under contract:
25

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 26 of 38

a. BAA 11-02-TTA 01-0127-WP TTA 01 - Software Assurance:
Software Assurance through Economic Measures
b. BAS 11-02-TTA 05-0155-WP TTA 05 - Secure Resilient
Systems and Networks
c. BAA 11-02-TTA 09-0049-WP TTA 09 - Cyber Economics
d. BAA 11-02-TTA 14-0025-WP TTA 14 - Software Assurance
MarketPlace (SWAMP).” (Id. at 8-9).
95. The July 2013 claim goes on to state that “these funds were rated as:
a. TTA 01

US$ 650,000

b. TTA 05

US$ 1,8000,000 (sic)

c. TTA 09

US$ 2,200,000

d. TTA 14

US$ 1,200,000.” (Id. at 9).

96. However, these statements were false. The 2017 results of a Freedom of
Information Act request by Ira to the DHS reveals that TTA 01, TTA 05, and
TTA 09 were all denied by the DHS. (Ex. 14).
97. The August 2013 claim also contains a demonstrably false allegation, alleging
the existence of a January 9, 2009 contract between Craig and W&K, claiming
that “[W&K] agreed to pay [Craig] for property and consulting services.” (Ex.
2). But again, W&K did not exist until 2011.

26

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 27 of 38

98. On August 28, 2013, a Consent Order was entered for the July 2013 claim by
the Supreme Court of New South Wales. (Ex. 15). The Order states it was
“made by the court by consent.” (Id. at 1). In support of that “consent” the
order purports to be signed by an “authorised officer” of W&K, a “J Wilson.”
(Id.at 2). But J Wilson, whoever he is, was not authorized. No public record
for W&K identifies him as an individual with any capacity to act for W&K.
99. On November 6, 2013, a Judgment was entered for the August 2013 claim by
the Supreme Court of New South Wales. (Ex. 16). In the decision, the Court
“note[d] the agreement of the parties that [Craig] will accept the transfer of the
intellectual property held by the plaintiff in full and final satisfaction of the
judgment.” (Id.). However, as with the August judgment, there was never
authorized consent to the judgment.
100. Further, W&K was never properly served with either the complaints or the
judgments in these actions.
101. Thus, the contents of the claims submitted to the court are demonstrably false
and Craig obtained both of these judgments by perpetuating a fraud on the New
South Wales court.
102. To this day, Craig has used these fraudulently obtained judgments to assert
ownership over the intellectual property assets developed by W&K. For
example, in the February 18, 2014 meeting with the ATO, Craig’s attorney
27

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 28 of 38

represented to the ATO that “intellectual property that had been acquired by Dr
Wright from WK Info Defence is on-supplied to the Wright Family Trust and
then broken up and transferred to other group entities, Hotwire, Coin Exchange
..... and so on.” (Ex. 7 at 6). And later again stating: “Remember there’s the IP
coming out of WK Info Defence in the US came to Craig through Craig to the
Wright Family Trust and then from the Wright Family Trust into Hotwire . . .”
(Id. at 17).
103. Craig also used this judgment, supported by the fraudulent contracts between
him and Dave, to claim millions in tax rebates for his other Australian based
companies.
CRAIG REACHES OUT TO IRA TO COVER UP THE FRAUD
104. Nearly ten months after Dave’s death, on February 11, 2014, Craig reached out
to Dave and Ira’s 94 year old father Louis, and wrote:
Date: Feb. 11, 2014
From: Craig Wright <Craig.Wright@hotwirepe.com>
To: Louis <REDACTED@REDACTED>
Hello Louis,
Your son Dave and I are two of the three key people behind
Bitcoin . . .
If you have any of Dave’s computer systems, you need to save a
file named “wallet.dat”. I will explain what this is later. Please
understand, I do not seek anything other than to give you
information about your son.
28

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 29 of 38

Know also that Dave was a key part of an invention that will
revolutionise the world . . .
I will talk to you again soon.
When I can, I will let you know much more of Dave. I will also
help you recover what Dave owned.
I will let you know when I am in the USA. (Ex. 17).
105. This was the first time anyone in Dave’s family learned of either (1) his
friendship with Craig or (2) the extent of his involvement in the creation of
Bitcoin.
106. As Louis Kleiman was elderly, Ira took over the correspondence with Craig.
107. Craig told Ira that he was partners with Dave in W&K and that no one knew
about the company. He explained to Ira that the business was involved in
Bitcoin mining and that it was quite successful.
108. Shortly after informing Ira about W&K, Craig told Ira that Craig and Dave were
planning on starting a new company together called “Coin-Exch.”
explained to Ira that Dave’s estate would receive shares in it.
109. On April 23, 2014, Craig wrote to Ira:
Date: April 23, 2014 8:56pm
From: Craig <craig@rcjbr.org>
To: Ira <REDACTED@REDACTED.com>

29

He

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 30 of 38

The software Dave updated, and which I have transferred back in
OUR company, and it is OURs as you are Dave’s heir, was done
at a zero tax level. This is all good under the law. Basically the
GST (like a Vat) cancels as it is an international transfer
What company owns right now is:
● Software – incl source code and perpetual licenses valued at
over $50 million.
● Intellectual Property, design, codes etc
● Research claims. (Ex. 18).
110. On April 15, 2014, an auditor from the Australian Taxation Office, reached out
to Ira to inquire about his knowledge concerning the legal action Craig took
against W&K. The auditor provided Ira copies of the 2011 IP Agreement and
the 2013 W&K Sale Agreement.
111. On April 22, 2014, Ira wrote to Craig that after he had time to review the
documents sent by the ATO, he “felt like there [were] questionable
discrepancies in the contracts between you and W&K such as Dave’s
signatures, his resignation, transfer of all accountable value . . .”.
112. On the same day, Ira wrote “. . . From [the] documents [I have] it appears clear
to see a systematic transfer of assets out of W&K back to you . . . But you never
mentioned any of the actions you were taking against W&K prior to contacting
us.”
113. Craig responded 11 minutes later “Dave died. I did the actions to make sure
that the court signed off on what Dave and I planned.”

30

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 31 of 38

114. To keep Ira from going public, Craig promised Ira that he could be paid out of
what was owed to Dave’s estate “based on what Dave and I had been
arranging.” He then told Ira “October [2014 would be] the first payment.”
115. The payment never came. Craig blamed the delay on the ATO investigation and
kept promising Ira he would see value when the investigation closed.
116. On October 9, 2015, Craig ceased responding to Ira’s email correspondence.
Shortly thereafter, Gizmodo and Wired published the articles outing Craig and
Dave’s involvement in the beginnings of Bitcoin.
117. Craig currently serves as Chief Scientist of a UK company called nChain in
London, where he has filed hundreds of patents related to Bitcoin and
blockchain technology through this entity.17
118. To date, Dave’s estate has received none of the assets belonging to him as a
result of Dave’s early involvement in Bitcoin and bitcoin mining.
CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
COUNT I
Conversion (against Craig)
Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 to 118.
119. Dave lawfully mined and possessed hundreds of thousands of bitcoins both
individually and as a member of W&K.

17

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bitcoin-wright-fund-exclusive/exclusive-company-behindbitcoin-creator-sold-to-private-investors-idUSKBN17F26V

31

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 32 of 38

120. Craig unlawfully and without permission converted this property from Dave’s
estate by exercising exclusive possession over the private keys necessary to
own, move, or spend the bitcoins belonging to Dave.
121. While the exact number of bitcoins remains to be determined, by Craig’s
admission, Dave’s estate is entitled to the possession of at least 300,000
bitcoins. Further, Craig’s admission that Ira owned 50% of W&K entitles Dave
to possession of at least 550,055.5 Bitcoin. Finally, pursuant to the formation
documents of W&K, Dave is the sole member of W&K and would therefore be
entitled to possession of all 1,100,111 Bitcoin mined by W&K.
122. To Plaintiff’s best knowledge, information, and belief, these bitcoins are worth
approximately $10,236,532,855.00.
123. Ira has demanded Craig return these bitcoins, but Craig has not done so.
124. Further, Craig has, and continues to, exercise authority over Dave’s bitcoins by
claiming them as his own and moving them into other wallets. Craig has
therefore wrongfully deprived Dave’s estate from the Bitcoins belonging to
Dave.
125. Dave’s estate is entitled to actual damages, amounting in either return of all
bitcoins converted from Dave’s possession or the fair market value of the
bitcoin.

32

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 33 of 38

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for damages
in the amount of at least $10,236,532,855.00 and/or return of the wrongfully
converted Bitcoin, together with court costs, interest, and any other relief this Court
deems just and proper.
COUNT II
Misappropriation
Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 to 118.
126. After

David’s

death,

Craig

unlawfully,

willfully,

and

maliciously

misappropriated trade secrets belonging to Dave’s estate relating to blockchain
based technologies by using a series of fraudulent contracts, misrepresentations,
and fraudulently obtained court judgments to transfer/acquire the property
rights in these trade secrets to/for himself.
127. These trade secrets are generally described as programs, methods, techniques,
and processes relating to blockchain based technologies. These trade secrets
derived actual and potential independent economic value from not being
generally known to the public or to other persons who could obtain economic
value from its disclosure or use. As evidence of the substantial economic value
relating to these trade secrets, Craig has used these trade secrets to develop new
intellectual property and assets, some of which have resulted in the filing of
new patents, through his work at nChain.

33

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 34 of 38

128. Dave made reasonable efforts to maintain the secrecy of these trade secrets.
Outside of W&K’s applications to the Department of Homeland Security, Dave
made no other disclosures of the nature of these trade secrets to anyone but
Craig.
129. As a proximate result of Craig’s unlawful misappropriation, Dave’s estate has
suffered actual losses consisting of the loss in economic value associated with
the trade secrets.
130. As a proximate result of Craig’s unlawful misappropriation, Dave’s estate is
informed and believes that Craig has been unjustly enriched.
131. As a proximate result of Craig’s unlawful and willful misappropriation, Dave’s
estate is entitled to a recovery of damages pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 688.004.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for all
available damages caused by Craig’s misappropriation, including exemplary
damages, together with court costs, interest, attorney’s fees pursuant to Fla. Stat.
688.005, and any other relief this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT III
Replevin (against Craig)
Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 to 118.
132. Dave lawfully mined and possessed a massive amount of bitcoins both
individually and as a partner in W&K. These bitcoins belonged to David as
evidenced by Craig’s various admissions.
34

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 35 of 38

133. While the exact number of bitcoins remains to be determined, by Craig’s
admission, Dave’s estate is entitled to the possession of at least 300,000
bitcoins. Further, Craig’s admission that Ira owned 50% of W&K entitles Dave
to possession of at least 550,055.5 bitcoins. Finally, pursuant to the formation
documents of WK, Dave is the sole member of W&K and would therefore be
entitled to possession of all 1,100,111 Bitcoin mined by WK.18
134. To Plaintiff’s best knowledge, information, and belief, these bitcoin are worth
approximately $10,236,532,855.00.
135. To Plaintiff’s best knowledge, information, and belief, these bitcoins, and the
private keys associated with these bitcoins, are in Craig’s exclusive possession.
136. These bitcoins are wrongfully detained by Craig.

Craig has maintained

possession of these bitcoins by using the private keys he had access to and has
since refused to return these assets to Dave’s estate after Dave’s death. To
Plaintiff’s best knowledge, information, and belief, Craig detains the property
because of its significant economic value.
137. These bitcoins have not been taken for any tax, assessment, or fine pursuant to
law, nor under an execution or attachment against Plaintiff’s property.

18

Should discovery reveal additional bitcoin were mined, Plaintiff may amend this complaint to
assert a claim over those as well.

35

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 36 of 38

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for the return
of the wrongfully withheld Bitcoin, together with court costs, interest, and any other
relief this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT IV
Breach of Fiduciary Duty (against Craig)
Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 to 118.
138. As a Dave’s partner in W&K, Craig owed fiduciary duties of care, loyalty and
good faith to Dave by virtue of their joint venture.
139. Craig breached his fiduciary duty of loyalty and good faith, by, among other
things, intentionally and wrongly transferring assets that belonged to Dave’s
estate out of W&K and to himself personally.
140. Dave’s estate has been damaged by Craig’s breach of his fiduciary duties.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for damages
and/or return of the wrongfully taken bitcoins and IP, together with court costs,
interest, and any other relief this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT V
Breach of Partnership Agreement (against Craig)
Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 to 118.
141. Pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 620.8202, Craig and Dave had a valid partnership
through their bitcoin mining activities that were carried out with the intention
of generating a profit.
36

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 37 of 38

142. Craig breached this partnership duties to Dave under Fla. Stat. § 620.8202 when
he illegally transferred all bitcoin related assets to himself personally.
143. Pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 620.1704 Dave’s estate is entitled to enforce the rights
associate with his Partnership with Craig.
144. Pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 620.8405, Ira’s estate is entitled to seek purchase of the
partnership interest under Fla. Stat. § 620.8701.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for purchase
of his partnership interest together with court costs, interest, and any other relief this
Court deems just and proper.
COUNT VI
Unjust Enrichment (against Craig)
Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 to 118.
145. Dave mined over one million bitcoin into an account that Craig obtained access
to and Dave developed IP that Craig obtained copies of.
146. Dave therefore conferred a substantial benefit upon Craig through his
unauthorized use of the bitcoins and intellectual property belonging to Dave’s
estate.
147. Craig had knowledge of, retained, and accepted that benefit by, without
Plaintiff’s prior knowledge or consent, using and distributing his bitcoin and
intellectual property that belonged to Dave’s estate for his own economic
benefit and trade purposes.
37

 Case 9:18-cv-80176-BB Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 02/14/2018 Page 38 of 38

148. It would be inequitable to allow Craig to retain this benefit without paying the
value of these bitcoin and IP.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendant for the value
of the wrongfully retained Bitcoin and IP, together with court costs, interest, and any
other relief this Court deems just and proper.
Plaintiff demands a trial by jury for all issues triable by right.
Dated: February 14, 2018
Respectfully submitted,
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
By: /s/Velvel Devin Freedman
Velvel (Devin) Freedman
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
100 SE Second Street
Miami, FL 33131
Tel. (305)539-8400
Fax. (305)539-1307
Email: vfreedman@bsfllp.com
Kyle Roche
BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
333 Main Street
Armonk, NY 10504
Tel. (914)749-8200
Fax. (914)749-8300
Email: kroche@bsfllp.com
pro hac vice pending
Attorneys for Plaintiff
IRA KLEIMAN in his capacity as Personal
Representative of the Estate of Dave
Kleiman
38