Staff at Kim Dotcom Schmitz’s $30 million mansion had been told only days before last week’s police raid that their boss was planning to travel overseas, and most of the staff would be made redundant.
A domestic employee says Schmitz indicated the trip was planned for mid February, and staff were sworn to secrecy.
In court, Schmitz’s lawyers had argued he did not pose a flight risk, because his wife was pregnant with twins.
The MegaUpload founder was today denied bail and remanded in custody until February 22nd.
His lawyers are lodging a bail appeal with the High Court.