Supreme Court Judge Investigates Attorney General's Mobile Device Usage Amidst Information Leak Case
In a significant move, Supreme Court judge Ángel Hurtado has inquired into whether the mobile devices used by Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz have been formatted. This investigation is tied to an ongoing case involving a leak of sensitive information regarding businessman Alberto González Amador, who is linked to the president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, in a tax fraud case. The judge’s order also seeks to obtain a copy of the internal regulations governing the use of mobile phones and emails within the Public Prosecutors Office.
Hurtado's order comes in response to proceedings initiated in December by various accusers. He has now accepted two specific inquiries: one regarding the data deletion practices on García Ortiz's mobile devices and another focused on the protocols for communication within the Attorney General's Office. Furthermore, the judge has requested the Data Protection Officer to submit the approved internal protocols related to mobile phone and email usage by personnel within the office.
In a detailed examination of the case, Judge Hurtado has also reached out to the IT department of the Attorney General's Office. He seeks information concerning how many times García Ortiz has changed his mobile phones, referencing data for each device, and requesting details about the mobile devices returned by García Ortiz since March 7. Specific inquiries include whether the older devices were formatted and who performed that action, including when it was done and the software utilized.
This judicial scrutiny gains traction given that findings from the UCO (Central Operational Support Unit) revealed that no messages could be found on García Ortiz's phone. This led to claims by the Attorney General's office indicating protocols were followed for deleting messages. However, discrepancies arose as senior members such as Almudena Lastra and Julián Salto have denied the existence of such a protocol before the judge, raising further questions about the integrity of the processes within the office.
While some requests were approved, others were dismissed by Judge Hurtado. He has placed emphasis on the need to confirm the veracity of ongoing investigations before considering additional proceedings. For instance, he has not agreed to conduct inquiries into the recovery of messages from two of García Ortiz's devices or to summon high-profile officials from Moncloa at this stage. Also turned down was a request concerning the interception of communications involving journalists, thereby protecting journalistic confidentiality and the integrity of information sources.
Additionally, the judge rejected requests relating to the details of a prosecutor appointed in a case connected to Begoña Gómez, spouse of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, suggesting a lack of relevance to the ongoing investigation. Similarly, an appeal for extending the investigation into potential administrative malpractice was disregarded by the judge.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these proceedings could have substantial effects on practices within the Attorney General's office and may influence the ongoing scrutiny surrounding high-profile figures in Madrid's political landscape.
Related Sources: