Former Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek will not be getting her phone back from police until next year at the earliest.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, a judge ordered the phones of a number of individuals, including Gondek, stay with police during their investigation into municipal corruption.<\/p>\n
Lawyers for Gondek and former city councillor Sean Chu had asked the court to dismiss a police request to extend the hold on their clients\u2019 devices, including their phones.<\/p>\n
Justice Allan Fradsham rejected that bid and extended the hold on the electronics to March 17, 2027 \u2014 which is one year from when they were seized.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn these circumstances, a longer extension may better reflect a practical reality in the investigation,\u201d Fradsham told court.<\/p>\n
He noted police have not been able to gain access to the electronic devices using Cellebrite, a digital forensics tool, but said there are upgrades coming that may unlock additional evidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe devices continue to be necessary for the purposes of the investigation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Court documents show police began investigating Gondek, Chu and others in the business community for municipal corruption, obstruction of justice and fabricating evidence in July 2025.<\/p>\n
Investigators allege Gondek and Chu were involved in an influence peddling scheme where council reconsidered a change in bylaw to allow for a townhouse development in Calgary in exchange for campaign donations that exceeded the allowable amount.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Court documents did not disclose how much was offered or if that money changed hands.<\/p>\n
None of the allegations have been proven in court.<\/p>\n
Gondek was mayor from 2021 to 2025, but was defeated in the most recent municipal election. Chu had been a councillor for a decade but did not run in 2025.<\/p>\n
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
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