The man Newsweek claimed is the creator of bitcoin has hired a lawyer in an attempt to clear his name, repeating his claim that he has never had anything to do with the digital currency, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In a statement issued by his lawyer, Ethan Kirschner, Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto said Monday that he "did not create, invent or otherwise work on" bitcoin, the LA Times reported.
In the magazine's return to print this month after more than a year, Newsweek's cover story declared Nakamoto to be the "face behind bitcoin," according to the LA Times. Despite the repeated denials, the magazine has stood behind the story.
Nakamoto, 64, did not say whether he plans to sue the magazine, the LA Times reported.
Nakamoto repeated that he had not heard of bitcoin until his son told him a reporter asked about it in mid-February, according to the LA Times. He said he has not been able to find steady work for 10 years and had cancelled his Internet service last year "due to severe financial distress."
Nakamoto added that he is trying to recover from prostate surgery in 2012 and a stroke he suffered last October, the LA Times reported.
"My prospects for gainful employment has been harmed because of Newsweek's article," he said in the statement, according to the LA Times. "Newsweek's false report has been the source of a great deal of confusion and stress for myself, my 93-year-old mother, my siblings, and their families."
On March 6, the day Newsweek posted its story online, about a dozen journalists descended on the home where Nakamoto lives with his mother in Temple City, California, but Nakamoto denied ever being involved with bitcoin multiple times, the LA Times reported.
The magazine developed its thesis on the creator's identity by matching Nakamoto's name, educational history, career, political views and writing style to the alleged creator of bitcoin, who has been known only as "Satoshi Nakamoto," according to the LA Times.
It's not clear whether Nakamoto sought out legal counsel or was approached after the story and his denial reverberated around the globe, the LA Times reported. Kirschner's website says he handles business and entertainment matters, and a listing on movie database IMDbPro indicates that the rapper KRS-One is a former client.
