Kleiman Estate Seeks Two-Week Extension Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

Kleiman v Wright may see further extension as plaintiffs seek additional two weeks for discovery amid coronavirus lockdown.

In the latest disruption to the case between the self-proclaimed Satoshi Nakamoto, Craig Wright, and the estate of the late Dave Kleiman, the plaintiffs are seeking a two-week extension to discovery amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a motion filed on March 24, Dave Kleiman’s estate asserts that the COVID-19 lockdown has presented “numerous complications associated with meeting deadlines set prior to the onset of the global pandemic.”

The COVID-19 pandemic makes depositions improbable

With the plaintiffs’ representation currently working from home due to the law firms temporarily closing their offices, the Kleiman estate is requesting a two-week extension to complete three fact witness depositions. They stated:

“Offices are closed, support staff are not onsite, experts and lawyers are unable to travel, in-person meetings are not possible, and the ability to review documents in a collaborative manner has been trying, to say the least.”

In light of the disruptions, the plaintiffs request that the hearing date for the parties to disclose expert witness summaries be postponed from March 27 until April 10, and that the deadline for fact discovery be pushed forward from April 17 to May 1.

Plaintiffs accuse Jimmy Nguyen of evading subpoena

The estate also notes that they have been trying to serve a deposition subpoena to nChain chief executive, Jimmy Nguyen, since Feb. 14, including five attempts at his home during February alone. 

The motion, which accuses Nguyen of either intentionally evading service, traveling outside of the country, or both, says that:

“Mr. Nguyen’s Twitter feed indicates that, over the past few months, he has spent a significant amount of time traveling outside of the country with Dr. Wright. He would therefore be aware of the discovery cutoff, and know that Plaintiffs are running out of time to serve him.”

Judge slams Wright for forged documents

The case between Wright and Kleiman’s estate has been anything but smooth, with Wright coming under fire on multiple occasions for producing forged documents and giving perjured testimony throughout the case.

Last week, U.S. Magistrate, Judge Reinhart, ruled that Wright must pay almost $166,000 in attorney and expense fees to the Kleiman estate.