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Police granted extension to hold phones of former Calgary mayor, councillor

On Wednesday, Justice Allan Fradsham authorized the Calgary Police Service to retain phones seized from former Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and former Ward 4 councillor Sean Chu until March 18, 2027.
Investigators are probing allegations of influence peddling involving campaign donations tied to a July 2025 land-use vote in Bankview, where developer David White allegedly offered excessive funds for a reconsideration motion.
Lead investigator Det. Matt White stated the devices cannot be "brute forced" using current software, though police anticipate future Cellebrite updates may eventually unlock the encrypted hardware.
No charges have been laid in the ongoing investigation, and Fradsham acknowledged the probe has "reached an impasse," though police intend to continue once technology permits.
Additionally, the judge approved continued detention of a phone belonging to Nathan Robb, co-founder of Oldstreet, until March 2027, extending the scope of the municipal corruption inquiry.

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Judge grants police more time to search former mayor, councillor's phones

A Calgary judge has ruled that police can keep iPhones seized from former mayor Jyoti Gondek and former city councillor Sean Chu for up to a year. Police seized the devices in March as part of an investigation into allegations of municipal corruption.

6 days ago·Ottawa, Canada

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Calgary Herald

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Police granted nine-month extension to keep cellphones of former mayor Jyoti Gondek and former Ward 4 councillor Sean Chu

The Calgary Police Service will be allowed to keep the seized cellphones of former mayor Jyoti Gondek, former Ward 4 councillor Sean Chu and a local developer, after a judge approved a nine month extension Wednesday morning.

6 days ago·Calgary, Canada

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