The man pegged by Newsweek as bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto is poised to take legal action for what he claims to have been a false story that took the cryptocurrency community by storm back in March.

Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto’s name became public — very public — in a highly sensationalized exposé entitled The Face Behind Bitcoin written by journalist Leah McGrath Goodman, employed by Newsweek.

Goodman’s story painted a very interesting picture of this reserved retired gentleman living in Los Angeles county, except for the fact that Mr. Nakamoto denied the story outright almost immediately. Lest we forget the ‘free lunch’ denial.

His life was turned upside down, and Newsweek has not retracted the story, nor offered an apology. Leah McGrath Goodman is also confident that Dorian is the Satoshi Nakamoto based on questionable evidence (at best).

She appeared for interviews, visibly tired and perhaps shaken, explaining her side:

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnuaIm6Wxcc”]

Meanwhile, the community starting feeling bad for Dorian. Really bad. The man had previously been dealing with prostate cancer, and then had a stroke.

Beautifully, bitcoin evangelist Andreas M. Antonopoulos started a bitcoin drive that saw thousands of dollars in donations.

Legal defense fund

Nakamoto, along with the Kirschner & Associates law firm, have started a website at NewsweekLied.com to ask for donations to help establish a defense fund in an ultimate lawsuit against Newsweek.

Yes. Bitcoin accepted.

You can read all the reasons that Dorian is angry here on the site’s background page, and it’s perfectly understandable where he’s coming from.

“Newsweek must be held accountable for its reckless reporting,” the site reads.

So why reach out to the community for help?

[blockquote style=”2″]Dorian’s Legal Defense Fund is a separate effort, authorized and endorsed by Dorian, to raise money to hold Newsweek accountable for their article. A lawsuit against Newsweek will be very expensive. Dorian does not have the resources to pay the costs of such a suit, let alone attorneys’ fees. Monies raised by the Fund will be used to further Dorian’s legal claims against Newsweek; anything remaining will be given directly to Dorian for his expenses.[/blockquote]

Added:

[blockquote style=”2″]If a private citizen like Dorian can be targeted and victimized by a reckless news organization, it could happen to others. Please help us to remind Newsweek and the press community of their continuing legal and ethical responsibilities to the broader public.[/blockquote]

For my past coverage on this topic, follow this link.