James Howells, a British man who lost a hard drive containing Bitcoin in a landfill more than ten years ago, is taking legal action against Newport City Council. The hard drive, which holds 8,000 Bitcoin currently worth over $647 million, was accidentally discarded and ended up in a local landfill in Newport, Wales.
Howells has repeatedly requested permission from the council to excavate the landfill in hopes of recovering the hard drive. However, the council has consistently denied these requests, citing environmental concerns. In response, Howells has now filed a lawsuit, seeking either permission to search the landfill or financial compensation.
Legal Battle After Years of Rejection
For over a decade, Howells has been trying to engage with the Newport City Council to discuss the issue. He claims that despite offering to cover all the costs and address any potential environmental risks, the council has refused to meet with him or discuss the matter in person.
In an effort to resolve the dispute, Howells stated he had attempted to negotiate with the council in a “friendly and professional” manner, but his efforts were ignored. Left with no other options, he decided to move forward with legal action.
Environmental Concerns at the Center of the Dispute
The council’s main reason for rejecting Howells’ excavation requests has been environmental concerns. They argue that digging up the landfill could potentially harm the local environment. However, Howells believes these concerns are unfounded and maintains that modern technology could allow for a safe and controlled recovery process.
Summary Review: James Howells, who lost a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin in a landfill in Newport, Wales, is suing the local council after years of being denied permission to search for the device. He claims the council’s environmental concerns are unjustified and that he has tried to resolve the issue through friendly negotiations for over a decade. The lawsuit seeks either the right to excavate the landfill or damages for the lost Bitcoin, which is now worth over $647 million.
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