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Facebook Sees 'Smoking Gun' Proof of Fraud in Big Case

Lawyers say they found evidence on Paul Ceglia's computer

By Tim Karan, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2011 6:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lawyers for Facebook say they have "smoking gun" evidence that a New York man isn't entitled to 84% of the company as he claims. The company pored over the computer of Paul Ceglia with the court's permission and says it found proof that Ceglia doctored an agreement with Zuckerberg long ago, reports Bloomberg. The evidence is "embedded in the electronic data on Ceglia's computer," but the company can't specify what it is because of confidentiality rules imposed by the court. That could change at a hearing later this month.

“Defendants have uncovered smoking-gun evidence that the purported contract at the heart of this case is a fabrication,” Facebook said in its court filing. The document is central to Ceglia's claim that Zuckerberg signed over a big stake in the yet-to-be-launched site while working for Ceglia in 2003. Facebook is expected to go public next year with a valuation of $100 billion.

Lawyers for Facebook say they have "smoking gun" evidence that will prove a New York man isn't entitled to a stake in the company. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

michaelangelo

Aug 24, 2011 7:10 PM CDT

its amazing how a digitalized blurred contract produced by a billion dollar internet company after being giving access to the private laptop were they found the document can be taking as credible proof, whilst the original paper contract produced by a powerless man which has being verified is described a fabrication ! is it only me that sees the truth in this case ? Why would any man without credible proof take on the biggest social networking company in the world ? it just doesn't make sense to do such a thing. Ceglia has proof but it is being discredited by the establishment which facebook is a part. .. it reminds me off the Strauss Kahn case were as soon as there is a tiny flaw in the victims evidence the case is thrown out and the criminals walk free . why ? because power protects power !

Swen.Ardere

Aug 6, 2011 7:06 PM CDT

Oh look, another over-valued IPO. (yawn)

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Facebook Sees 'Smoking Gun' Proof of Fraud in Big Case

Lawyers say they found evidence on Paul Ceglia's computer

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Facebook • Mark Zuckerberg • Paul Ceglia • Facebook lawsuit

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