> I mean, if an internet cartoonist can raise over 100K in less than 24 hours, certainly someone of his stature could raise exponentially more?

Quoting Larry Lessig at http://lessig.tumblr.com/post/40347463044/prosecutor-as-bull...

   For in the 18 months of negotiations, that was what he was not willing to accept, and so that was the reason he was facing a million dollar trial in April — his wealth bled dry, yet unable to appeal openly to us for the financial help he needed to fund his defense, at least without risking the ire of a district court judge

I was wondering this too, and also exactly what conflict of interest forced Lessig to cease formal legal assistance.

Maybe he is referring to something like an injunction or bail terms preventing him from using the internet or speaking out about the case?

Lessig's wife established free.aaronsw.com, so I don't think he is talking broadly about donations.

I have no first-hand knowledge of the case, nor am I a lawyer, but Aaron's notoriety and access to a number of gigantic online megaphones could have prompted the judge to issue a gag order "to avoid tainting the jury pool" or something like that.

It sounds like it wouldn't be illegal, but the judge would probably say, "You have $2 million in savings [probably more like: "Oh, you were a cofounder of this startup that was acquired by a multinational publishing conglomerate"] and you're asking normal people to donate to your defense?" and perform some kind of punitive measures (or at least have disfavor cast upon his side of the story for appearing unethical) for what appears to be a major misuse of clout (i.e., a wealthy man fleecing the much poorer masses for his own support).

IANAL