Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz Denies Email Leak Amid Investigation
In a remarkable development within Spanish politics, Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz appeared before the Supreme Court to answer allegations of leaking sensitive emails linked to Alberto González Amador, the boyfriend of Madrid's President Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Ortiz has firmly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not leak emails or any documents related to González Amador's tax case.
The controversy centers around an investigation led by Judge Ángel Hurtado into alleged crimes involving González Amador, specifically regarding tax fraud for the years 2020 and 2021. The judge is probing whether García Ortiz and the provincial prosecutor of Madrid, Pilar Rodríguez, were involved in leaking a critical email from prosecutor Julián Salto, wherein González Amador's lawyer admitted the commission of two crimes against the Public Treasury.
García Ortiz, who has changed his mobile phone six times in recent years for security reasons and legal obligations due to sensitive information he possesses, claims he routinely deletes information from his devices. He emphasized that he has not released any emails or tax files concerning González Amador to anyone, either within the Prosecutor's Office or externally. Furthermore, he stated that he was unaware of any attempts to undermine González Amador due to his relationship with Ayuso.
During his testimony, García Ortiz refrained from answering direct questions posed by González Amador's defense and instead only engaged with inquiries from his own legal counsel and from the Prosecutor's Office. This choice has drawn criticism, with legal sources suggesting that he omitted key details that could be pivotal to the investigation, particularly regarding the aforementioned email sent to Ayuso’s Chief of Staff, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez.
The atmosphere surrounding Ortiz's court appearance was charged, with a small group of protesters calling out derogatory remarks as he arrived and departed. He appeared at the court dressed in a gray suit and a tie adorned with justice scales, symbolizing the gravity of his situation.
This case marks a significant moment in Spanish jurisprudence as it continues to unfold. Notably, García Ortiz's appearance as a suspect is unprecedented for an Attorney General, raising critical questions about accountability and the sanctity of legal proceedings in the realm of politics. As the investigation progresses, numerous eyes will be on the proceedings, waiting for transparency and truth in a saga that intertwines personal relationships, legal ethics, and public trust.
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