Fixer says former Alberta justice minister hired him to get reporter’s phone logs

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A self-described political fixer says a former Alberta justice minister employed him to acquire a reporter’s cellphone logs.

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David Wallace says he was employed by Jonathan Denis to get the cellphone information of Alanna Smith, a former Calgary Herald reporter now of The Canadian Press. Wallace stated Denis instructed him he wished to hint sources Smith had drawn on for a narrative about whether or not the size of Denis’s wedding reception broke COVID-19 protocols.

In an electronic mail from his lawyer, Denis denied that he or his shoppers talked to Wallace.

Wallace instructed The Canadian Press that Denis received his title via Alan Hallman and Gerald Chipeur, longtime conservative operatives.

“Jonathan known as me (and) instructed me that at his marriage ceremony he feels he had been focused for poor press,” Wallace stated in an interview. “He wished to seek out out who (Smith’s) sources had been.

“He wished me to enter my supply contacts utilizing databases to their non-public cellphone data communications.”

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Wallace stated he warned Denis that getting cellphone logs may very well be unlawful.

“He principally stated that is simply data I’m gathering for my very own use.”

Denis was a Progressive Conservative cupboard minister in Alberta from 2010 to 2015 and justice minister for the final three of these years. Not too long ago, he was reported to be an organizer for Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre’s marketing campaign for management of the federal social gathering.

On Monday, a spokesman for Poilievre stated Denis was now not with the marketing campaign.

Wallace stated he will get politicians out of tight spots for a dwelling.

“I’m a repairman,” stated Wallace, a former Ontarian now dwelling in Calgary. “I can discover issues or individuals and I can therapeutic massage and repair troublesome conditions.”

Wallace stated he has had a 30-year profession in political backrooms. He spoke with The Canadian Press as a result of, he stated, he’s had sufficient.

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“I’m bored with being a software,” he stated. “I’m completed.”

Wallace stated he’s additionally grown involved his work may very well be used to intimidate individuals or improperly affect political debate.

Wallace, who isn’t a licensed non-public investigator, stated he was lured to the West by the promise of profitable contracts from individuals distinguished in Alberta conservative circles. In early 2021, he stated, he heard from Hallman.

Hallman, whose affiliation with provincial Conservative politics goes again to the Nineties, managed Jason Kenney’s 2017 marketing campaign for the management of the United Conservative Celebration till he was suspended for one yr. On the time, Hallman stated the suspension was associated to the usage of profanity in a social media submit.

He stays near the premier. In 2020, he held a celebration for Kenney attended by two cupboard ministers, stated a visitor who was there. His son, Chad Hallman, works as a political staffer for Alberta Well being.

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“I received a cellphone name from Hallman, asking me to talk to his good friend Jonathan,” Wallace stated. “I stated, ‘OK.”‘

Wallace backs up what he says with dozens of emails, textual content messages, financial institution statements, invoices and different digital paperwork. They embrace messages that seem like from Denis, however Denis has not confirmed they’re his.

The Canadian Press has been unable to substantiate the authenticity of the emails and different paperwork utilizing the info accompanying them.

Nevertheless, some emails contain individuals not concerned on this story. The Canadian Press contacted seven. 5 confirmed they’d despatched the emails and two declined remark; none stated the emails had been false or altered.

Within the paperwork, a message that seems to return from Denis claims the Calgary Herald obtained a tip about his Jan. 30, 2021, marriage ceremony reception.

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He seems to say the tip was an try and embarrass UCP legislature member Mike Ellis, a visitor on the reception and social gathering whip. Ellis was then regarded as contemplating a run for Calgary mayor.

The paperwork counsel Denis was looking for the supply of the tip via Smith’s cellphone logs.

“She and the Herald are usually not the goal,” stated a Feb. 13, 2021, purported electronic mail from Denis to Wallace. “I wish to discover out who’s pushing this.”

A separate electronic mail the identical day suggests Wallace and Denis reached a deal. Denis would pay Wallace $5,000 monthly primarily based on a minimum of 20 hours per week.

“How lengthy do you anticipate engaged on this earlier than seemingly reaching outcomes?” asks an electronic mail despatched the following day, seemingly from Denis.

“Relaxation straightforward, it received’t be a tough repair,” Wallace seems to have responded. “Individuals like those who do such issues are at all times sloppy and go away a number of proof.”

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The emails counsel Denis employed Wallace on Feb. 15.

“I’m hiring you on the advice of Alan Hallman, who says you’ve got tangible outcomes for him,” stated an electronic mail that day, apparently from Denis to Wallace.

“Respectfully, I anticipate the identical, and may ship you a good bit of extra work if this investigation bears fruit. I ought to let you realize that one in every of your opponents in Calgary instructed me there was no approach he might get outcomes right here, so my chips are on you.”

A Feb. 15 e-transfer receipt seems to indicate a fee of $5,350 from Denis to Wallace. An electronic mail despatched two days later seems to indicate Denis promising Wallace extra work “if we are able to meet with some success right here.”

The paperwork offered by Wallace say the work didn’t take lengthy. By March 20, a message purportedly from Wallace reported outcomes.

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“Howdy, choosing up the cell provider logs from my supply this afternoon,” says an electronic mail from an account that seems to belong to Wallace. “I’ll want $1,100 to cowl the remainder of invoice for it. If that’s licensed let me know and you may e-transfer me.”

The paperwork appear to indicate a $1,180 fee from Denis to Wallace was made the next week.

Wallace stated he falsified among the data he gave Denis out of concern for the reporter’s security.

“The information are reputable,” he stated. “I simply didn’t present him with the reputable cellphone field when it comes to the precise calls, instances and orders.”

The emails appear to counsel Denis was initially happy. On April 11, one says: “Might have a brand new file for you (Wallace). Chat me up within the a.m.”

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However by June, a brand new tone creeps in.

“I’ve been requesting backup paperwork in my matter now for over two months,” says a June 23 electronic mail, purportedly from Denis.

“I’ve paid you ‘good cash’ for this report however it’s ineffective to me with out the backup paperwork. I’ve much more work I can throw you in Calgary from me personally and from my contacts. Nevertheless — I want this documentation.”

Denis’s lawyer, Brendan Miller, stated in a letter his consumer is unable to answer questions raised by the emails as a result of that will drive Denis to violate solicitor-client privilege.

“As Mr. Denis is dedicated to upholding his skilled obligations, we’re unable to reply,” wrote Miller.

“If there have been data conveyed between Mr. Denis or his shoppers with Mr. Wallace (which isn’t admitted however denied), it will be topic to privilege.”

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Miller doesn’t specify which consumer he’s referring to. Ellis’s press secretary, Eric Engler, stated Ellis has not employed Denis for over a decade and was not conscious of or in any approach concerned in efforts to acquire the reporter’s cellphone logs.

Hallman appeared to have maintained curiosity in Wallace’s work. In an obvious March 28, 2021, WhatsApp message to Wallace, he requested if any cellphone numbers from earlier messages “line up with the Jonathan investigation.”

The paperwork embrace a seeming non-disclosure settlement blocking Wallace from releasing communications between him and Hallman. Signed in April, it additionally forbids Wallace from making disparaging feedback about Hallman and releases Hallman from any legal responsibility towards Wallace.

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In a quick phone dialog, Hallman refused to touch upon Wallace’s claims, however acknowledged understanding him.

“The man’s unstable,” Hallman instructed The Canadian Press. “I need nothing to do with him.”

Hallman didn’t reply to a registered letter delivered to his workplace March 25 containing a listing of detailed questions.

Wallace’s emails counsel Hallman wasn’t the one conservative operative acquainted with Wallace.

A Jan. 17, 2021, word that seems to be from Chipeur reads: “The consumer could be very completely satisfied together with your earlier help,” then goes on to supply Wallace a contract.

Chipeur was a lawyer for the federal Conservative social gathering and helped work out the merger between the Progressive Conservatives and the Reform Celebration of Canada.

He didn’t reply to a letter delivered to his workplace April 1.

Lately, Wallace stated, he isn’t fascinated by new contracts. He stated he’s bored with work that compromises individuals and should put them in harmful conditions.

“I’m simply drained,” he stated. “I don’t wish to do that any extra.”