Offbeat: Paranoid lawsuit attempts to link Apple to Italian mafia

[AppleInsider]

A new lawsuit from a Beverly Hills, Calif., man alleges that Apple conspired with the Italian mafia to secretly track him, transmit threatening messages to his iPod, and insert the word "herpes" into the song "Still Tippin'" by Mike Jones.

Not just his iPod, Gregory McKenna is convinced that many things in his life were bugged, including his bedroom, living room, upstairs bathroom and Toyota Camry. McKenna alleges in his lawsuit that two iPods he owned – an iPod shuffle bought on eBay and an iPod mini purchased in an Apple Store – were affixed with receivers that allowed the Mafia to transmit threats to him.

McKenna believes that these well-coordinated "threats" from Apple and the mafia were accompanied by an uncanny sense of rhythm: Recordings of mafia members saying "I'm going to kill him" supposedly played in unison with a song on the man's iPod mini in 2008.

"The recording of death threats and other evidence," the suit reads, "prove that APPLE INC. conspired with the Mafia and other Defendants to manufacture, distribute, and sell illegally bugged iPods and other electronic equipment to Plaintiff to perpetuate the stalking, extortion, and torture."

Filed Wednesday in a U.S. District Court in Missouri, the 124-page complaint lists Apple among a host of other defendants, including the St. Louis County Police Department, a local auto mechanic, and "unknown agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Perhaps the most outlandish Apple-related tale in the lengthy suit is a supposed subliminal message heard in the song "Still Tippin'" by rapper Mike Jones. McKenna alleges the word "herpes" was implanted into the song "to humiliate, degrade, and cause emotional stress."

In the version of the song McKenna claims he heard, the modified lyrics were: "Tippin' on four fours, wrapped in four vogues, HERPES. Tippin' on four fours, wrapped in four vogues. Tippin' on four fours, wrapped in four vogues, AHH."

The suit alleges he heard the modified version of the song on his Apple iBook G4 computer, Apple PowerBook G4, Apple iPods, and in three different vehicles, including his mother's Honda Accord.

The bizarre tale begins in 2000, when McKenna claims he was threatened by the Italian mafia at a Missouri night club. The suit alleges that the mafia tried to force the accuser into becoming a New York City fashion model.

"We're going to kill you if you don't model for us in New York," the suit says McKenna was told.

"Media sources report that the modeling industry has an infamous "shadow Mafia" that forces models to work for pay after fraudulently putting them into excessive debt, coerces them into the illegal sex trade, and then disposes of them," the suit reads.

The man claims he attempted to call the St. Louis County Police numerous times, but they would not respond to his pleas. His intricate tale includes numerous unnamed FBI agents, a plethora of hidden illegal recording devices, and constant references to "stalking, extortion and torture."

A high-profile, publicly traded company, Apple is hit with many lawsuits, sometimes from accusers who likely suffer from mental disorders. In 2007, a known frivolous suit filer claimed that Steve Jobs had employed O.J. Simpson as a hitman for the last two decades.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[success]

Is there a link between this guy and the guy who wanted SJ to participate in acid trip tests?

[DanaCameron]

Do the Coen brothers read this site?

[pembroke]

Could this possibly be the slowest news day on record?

[brucep]

Originally Posted by pembroke

Could this possibly be the slowest news day on record?

AI has sunk to new lows

[Messiah]

Stranger things have happened.








But probably only to the plaintiff in question!

[petermac]

Originally Posted by Messiah

Stranger things have happened.

But probably only to the plaintiff in question!

Now that made me laugh, so yes, the article is worth its place already.

[Eriamjh]

I want to hear these songs!

[akhomerun]

haha that's one weird lawsuit, i never thought i'd find a post about mike jones on appleinsider. it sounds to me like this guy could have underlying mental health problems that are causing these voices.

by the way, i'm a pretty big mike jones fan. just in case any of you wanted to know that there was one out there. he's not the most talented guy, but he's always been real, he's always had the message that anyone can overcome with some hard work. here was this fat, unattractive guy who worked hard at his passion, worked hard at losing weight, and has it all now (unless he spent it all on diamonds) that's something like inspiring i guess.

[hittrj01]

In other news, the Easter bunny has filed a class-action lawsuit against Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy for breaking and entering.

[Cousin Dirk]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

A new lawsuit from a Beverly Hills, Calif., man alleges that Apple conspired with the Italian mafia to secretly track him, transmit threatening messages to his iPod, and insert the word "herpes" into the song "Still Tippin'" by Mike Jones.

That's one of the funniest things I've read all week.

[bytor]

I think the underlying question here is why was this guy allowed to file the suit in the first place. I think he and his lawyer ought to be fined, imprisoned and be required to pay restitution back to anyone and everyone who has had to waste a single second of time in response to this. And people wonder why the law profession has such a bad name....

[crees!]

The perfect idea for a new sitcom! Must be a sitcom by the way. Reality shows bite.

[Owl]

Well, since there's no real proof Apple is associated with it in any way, it could be just a prank being pulled by a friend. Unless the word is loud and clear, it could simply be some distortion. There is also no proof any of the other events happened either.

BTW-The music he listens to is just plain weird. (no offense, but it just is) No wonder he's hearing messages. Who knows-he might have gotten the song off LimeWire which was modified.

[jsewell]

Ha ha ha. Yes, let's all laugh. Ha ha ha. Mental illness is so funny and entertaining.

Really, AppleInsider? Really?

[techno]

April Fools!

[pmz]

Originally Posted by bytor

I think the underlying question here is why was this guy allowed to file the suit in the first place. I think he and his lawyer ought to be fined, imprisoned and be required to pay restitution back to anyone and everyone who has had to waste a single second of time in response to this. And people wonder why the law profession has such a bad name....

STFU. The most ridiculous aspect here is there is nothing unrealistic about his lawsuit, and yet everyone immediately laughs and calls him mentally unstable. Wonderful.

Now nothing is allowed to be true thats too unusual. Great. Guess how many actual truths are going to pass you by due to that terrible attitude?

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by bytor

I think the underlying question here is why was this guy allowed to file the suit in the first place. I think he and his lawyer ought to be fined, imprisoned and be required to pay restitution back to anyone and everyone who has had to waste a single second of time in response to this. And people wonder why the law profession has such a bad name....

Almost well said. Only the lawyer should be fined etc., the other guy is clearly ill:

Originally Posted by jsewell

Ha ha ha. Yes, let's all laugh. Ha ha ha. Mental illness is so funny and entertaining.

Really, AppleInsider? Really?

Well said. This guy is clearly leaning toward paranoid schizophrenia. His "lawyer" should have referred him to a mental health professional; the guy needs long-term care.

Originally Posted by pmz

STFU. The most ridiculous aspect here is there is nothing unrealistic about his lawsuit

You're not serious? Are you?

[pmz]

Let's stop an think.

1. Is any part of what he claims impossible? No.

2. Does the Italian mafia exist in the fashion described? Absolutely.

3. Would Apple conspire with criminal organizations if ordered to by the U.S. government or other powerful interests?

Of course.

Yet all of the kiddies in here will continue to believe that such a story is a fairytale, whereas, in reality, whether its true or not, its not unlikely or impossible.

Helloooooo! Anyone home? Have you seen project Natal yet, from Microsoft? Only the single most invasive device ever conceived for the home. Don't believe Apple has a device in the works that collects 5x as much biometric data? Don't believe Apple already collects staggering amounts of information on you from the use of your iPhones and iPods? You need to grow up.

[pmz]

Originally Posted by Mr. H

Well said. However, in addition:



Well said, also. This guy is clearly leaning toward paranoid schizophrenia. His "lawyer" should have referred him to a mental health professional; the guy needs long-term care.




You're not serious? Are you?

Of course I'm serious. Wake the hell up.

I'm not saying the guys story is true, it probably is not, I'm say there is no reason to automatically believe its IMPOSSIBLE because there is NOTHING impossible about it.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by pmz

Let's stop an think.

1. Is any part of what he claims impossible? No.

2. Does the Italian mafia exist in the fashion described? Absolutely.

3. Would Apple conspire with criminal organizations if ordered to by the U.S. government or other powerful interests?

Of course.

Yet all of the kiddies in here will continue to believe that such a story is a fairytale, whereas, in reality, whether its true or not, its not unlikely or impossible.

Helloooooo! Anyone home? Have you seen project Natal yet, from Microsoft? Only the single most invasive device ever conceived for the home. Don't believe Apple has a device in the works that collects 5x as much biometric data? Don't believe Apple already collects staggering amounts of information on you from the use of your iPhones and iPods? You need to grow up.

Of course! They keep all the info in a secret building at Roswell which as everyone knows is where all Apple technology comes from much to the annoyance of M$ who are stuck with Earth technology.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by pmz

Let's stop an think.

1. Is any part of what he claims impossible? No.

2. Does the Italian mafia exist in the fashion described? Absolutely.

3. Would Apple conspire with criminal organizations if ordered to by the U.S. government or other powerful interests?

Of course.

Yet all of the kiddies in here will continue to believe that such a story is a fairytale, whereas, in reality, whether its true or not, its not unlikely or impossible.

Helloooooo! Anyone home? Have you seen project Natal yet, from Microsoft? Only the single most invasive device ever conceived for the home. Don't believe Apple has a device in the works that collects 5x as much biometric data? Don't believe Apple already collects staggering amounts of information on you from the use of your iPhones and iPods? You need to grow up.

Ah, but what makes this story implausible is the insertion of the word into the Mike Jones song.... that's a bit much, no?

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by pmz

Let's stop an think.

1. Is any part of what he claims impossible?

Yes. The bit about bugging him with iPods. That's impossible. You could do it with an iPhone, but not the iPods that he claims it was done with.

Originally Posted by pmz

2. Does the Italian mafia exist in the fashion described? Absolutely.

3. Would Apple conspire with criminal organizations if ordered to by the U.S. government or other powerful interests?

Man, maybe you need a mental health professional too. You are off-the-scale paranoid. I'm not joking.

Why would Apple and the US government spend all this time effort and money to bug this particular individual? And why oh why oh why would they insert the word "herpes" into a song?

I can't believe I'm even arguing about this. You cannot be serious.

[chronster]

He's got himself an open-and-shut case here.

[JohnnyKrz]

...in reality, whether its true or not, its not unlikely or impossible.

@pmz: If I really stretch, I can see how his claims are possible. They are, however, quite unlikely. I'd say there is about a 0.1% chance that this is true. I hear the thing to do to stop these companies from spying on you for the mafia (or aliens) is to cover yourself in foil to block all of their signals.

[OC4Theo]

Which stupid attorney prepared and file this suit for this deranged fool? Why should a company even spend a dime to defend itself against this kind of nonsense?

I just hope this asshole is made to pay for every dime it cost anyone from responding to this atrocious behavior. And after he had paid all, put his ass in a mental hospital for serious electrical-shock therapy for the rest of his miserable life.

[Roos24]

...Only in America...

[BuzDots]

Originally Posted by pmz

STFU. The most ridiculous aspect here is there is nothing unrealistic about his lawsuit, and yet everyone immediately laughs and calls him mentally unstable. Wonderful.

Now nothing is allowed to be true thats too unusual. Great. Guess how many actual truths are going to pass you by due to that terrible attitude?

So......... you are his son or nephew?

April Fools!

July Fools! and it's not even a full moon


I knew Tito would never get da guy to wear da damn Zanneti suits - It just made him look to gay!

[Mr. H]

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

I just hope this asshole is made to pay for every dime it cost anyone from responding to this atrocious behavior. And after he had paid all, put his ass in a mental hospital for serious electrical-shock therapy for the rest of his miserable life.

Wow. I hope you're joking. Let's just remember that if you ever become mentally ill, we should give you "electrical-shock therapy" for the rest of your "miserable life".

[aplnub]

Originally Posted by pmz

Of course I'm serious. Wake the hell up.

I'm not saying the guys story is true, it probably is not, I'm say there is no reason to automatically believe its IMPOSSIBLE because there is NOTHING impossible about it.

You think it is probably not true???

Best laugh I had in this entire thread...

[Ouate de Phoque]

Originally Posted by hittrj01

In other news, the Easter bunny has filed a class-action lawsuit against Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy for breaking and entering.

NOT TRUE!

The Easter bunny was too busy hiding his eggs so no-one would know he was screwing chickens.

[mebbert]

Anyone here watch UFO Hunters? I do, because I can't wait to hear what Bill Birnes is going to say next. He takes such large logical leaps based on the "evidence" he has (or doesn't have) that it's comical.

I think there are a few people here like Bill...including the lawyer and his client.

[Woode]

Originally Posted by DanaCameron

Do the Coen brothers read this site?

Coen brothers, or Sasha Cohen (aka Borat/Bruno?) Forced to be a fashion model, indeed.

[Wil Maneker]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

...McKenna claims he was threatened by the Italian mafia at a Missouri night club. The suit alleges that the mafia tried to force the accuser into becoming a New York City fashion model.

"We're going to kill you if you don't model for us in New York," the suit says McKenna was told.

"Media sources report that the modeling industry has an infamous "shadow Mafia" that forces models to work for pay after fraudulently putting them into excessive debt, coerces them into the illegal sex trade, and then disposes of them," the suit reads.

This is artful

[Idle]

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

I just hope this asshole is made to pay for every dime it cost anyone from responding to this atrocious behavior. And after he had paid all, put his ass in a mental hospital for serious electrical-shock therapy for the rest of his miserable life.

Fortunately, we've progressed as a society to the point where there are actually much better ways of dealing with schizophrenia

[paxman]

Originally Posted by pmz

Let's stop an think.

1. Is any part of what he claims impossible? No.

2. Does the Italian mafia exist in the fashion described? Absolutely.

3. Would Apple conspire with criminal organizations if ordered to by the U.S. government or other powerful interests?

Of course.

Yet all of the kiddies in here will continue to believe that such a story is a fairytale, whereas, in reality, whether its true or not, its not unlikely or impossible.

Helloooooo! Anyone home? Have you seen project Natal yet, from Microsoft? Only the single most invasive device ever conceived for the home. Don't believe Apple has a device in the works that collects 5x as much biometric data? Don't believe Apple already collects staggering amounts of information on you from the use of your iPhones and iPods? You need to grow up.

Oh man, you need to grow down. The man is clearly not well and I agree with the people who question how this lawsuit ever came to pass. Even if it were all possible (which it clearly isn't) the big question is WHY. Why would Apple and the Mafia do this? Of all the things these organizations could do in order to pursue their goals, why on earth would they create a special ipod Nano that could spy on and pass threats to an alleged fashion model?

[Wil Maneker]

The lawsuit, apparently in full form:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/gre...tlpd-fbi-et-al

[ascii]

Shouldn't make fun of people's mental illness.

[FormerARSgm]

What a WASTE of everyone's time, money, tax dollars, etc...

This guy should be thrown out of court.
A lawsuit should be filed against HIM, on behalf of the American people.
We should sue him for wasting our time.
We should sue him for wasting our tax dollars.
Then, throw him in jail for 30 days.

This would prevent horse-shit lawsuits from popping up.

There are serious criminals and serious crimes that need to be prosecuted. Let's keep the court system and resources free for those.

What an asshole. You, my lawsuit crazy friend, have zero class.

[BuzDots]

Originally Posted by paxman

Oh man, you need to grow down. The man is clearly not well and I agree with the people who question how this lawsuit ever came to pass. Even if it were all possible (which it clearly isn't) the big question is WHY. Why would Apple and the Mafia do this? Of all the things these organizations could do in order to pursue their goals, why on earth would they create a special ipod Nano that could spy on and pass threats to an alleged fashion model?

I just figured it out... - He's been playing Mafia Wars on his Touch and can't seem to move up 'cause he keeps gettin the crap beat outta him.