Kim Dotcom, the controversial founder of Megaupload, has resigned as director of his data-storage company, Mega, in order to focus on a copyright case against him — and to start a new political party.
Dotcom (born Kim Schmitz) made the announcement on his Twitter account Wednesday, saying that Mega — which he founded after Megaupload was shut down last year — will carry on without him.
“#Mega is in excellent hands,” Dotcom wrote. “I resigned as Managing Director to focus on my copyright case & a new political party.”
A New Zealand Herald article that Dotcom linked to in the tweet noted that the entrepreneur resigned Aug. 29, with Bonnie Lam replacing him.
Also read: Kim Dotcom’s Case to Be Heard by New Zealand Supreme Court
Dotcom and his partners are accused of committing mass copyright infringement and money laundering of more than $500 million. Dotcom and the others accused have taken their case to the Supreme Court, where they’re waiting to find out if they’ll be granted access to evidence in the U.S. government’s case to extradite them.
Mega has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
In addition to the legal wrangling, Dotcom is also turning his attention to starting a political party in New Zealand. Dotcom announced plans to throw his hat into the political ring last week via Twitter.
According to Mega chief executive Vikram Kumar, Dotcom will also focus his attention to “an upcoming music website.”