Supreme Court Orders Legal Counsel for Attorney General in High-Profile Leak Case
The Supreme Court has mandated that Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz secure legal representation as he faces allegations related to the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. This information pertains to an investigation into potential tax fraud involving the boyfriend of Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the President of the Community of Madrid. Following the initiation of criminal proceedings against him a few weeks ago, examining magistrate Ángel Hurtado has now embarked on preliminary inquiries to either substantiate or dismiss the allegations against García Ortiz.
In a recent ruling, the magistrate required the Attorney General to appoint a lawyer to defend his interests in the legal process, thus ensuring he is not left without representation. García Ortiz has the option to request assistance from the State Bar, which could help facilitate his legal defense.
The case has seen a request from Alberto González Amador, a businessman and partner of Díaz Ayuso, who has filed a private accusation in the ongoing case. Amador seeks access to emails exchanged between García Ortiz and the Prosecutors Office in the lead-up to March 2024. He claims these emails are linked to an agreement he suggested that acknowledges two counts of tax offenses, involving a plea deal that entails an eight-month prison sentence and a financial settlement of approximately 525,000 euros to avert trial.
Magistrate Hurtado will soon decide whether to grant González Amador’s request and will also consider a motion from the union Clean Hands, which is calling for the temporary suspension of García Ortiz from his duties while the investigation unfolds.
As the situation develops, the magistrate has directed the various public accusers involved in the case—including the Liberty Foundation Forum, the Clean Hands College of Lawyers in Madrid, and the Association of Professional and Independent Prosecutors (APIF)—to report back within five days regarding the possibility of consolidating their efforts in the case.
The legal troubles for García Ortiz commenced in Madrid's Superior Court of Justice after González Amador filed a complaint against the chief prosecutor of Madrid, Pilar Rodríguez, claiming she, along with another prosecutor, was involved in the unwarranted release of a press statement that detailed the tax fraud investigation against him.
In statements made on October 30, García Ortiz firmly rejected any claims of wrongdoing, asserting that neither he nor his associates leaked the contentious emails that divulged details about Ayuso's partner. His defense emphasizes a commitment to upholding the integrity of the Public Ministry against what they describe as unfounded accusations.
Despite the ongoing inquiries, the Supreme Court has not categorized the dissemination of the press release as a criminal act, yet it remains focused on the potential breach related to the emails containing confidential information exchanged in the context of the negotiations regarding Amador's tax allegations.
As the judicial process continues, scrutiny over the actions of public figures involved in this high-profile case is expected to increase, underscoring the sensitive nature of judicial communications and allegations of impropriety in public office.
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