A Calgary judge is allowing police to continue to hold cellphones belonging to former Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek and former councillor Sean Chu. The decision was delivered Wednesday morning as an investigation continues into alleged municipal corruption. No charges have been laid. “It has been judicially determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the seized electronic devices ‘will afford evidence of the offences,’” Justice Allan Fradsham wrote in his decision. Investigators have not been able to gain access into the locked cellphones of Gondek and Chu, along with an Apple iPad of Chu’s. An affidavit from police Det. Matthew White says it is anticipated that a software update will be coming soon that could gain access to the electronic devices. Investigators allege Gondek and Chu were involved in an influence-peddling scheme where council reconsidered a change in bylaw to allow for a townhome development in Calgary in exchange for campaign donations that exceeded the allowable amount. While conducting a separate search, police found “evidence of the offences” allegedly committed by the former municipal leaders, White said in his affidavit. Lawyers for Gondek and Chu requested the extension of the cellphone seizures be dismissed. Fradsham rejected that request, noting it is an active police investigation. Police are allowed to hold the devices until March 17, 2027. All of the lawyers involved declined to comment.
