Calgary police granted nine-month extension to retain seized phones of Gondek and Chu

Calgary Police Service has been granted a nine-month extension to keep the seized cellphones of former mayor Jyoti Gondek, former Ward 4 councillor Sean Chu and a local developer, Justice Allan Fradsham ruled Wednesday morning. The extension allows the devices to be detained until March 18, 2027 — one year from when the search warrant was initially executed in March 2026.

Investigators have not been able to access the phones since they were seized. Digital examiners use Cellebrite software to access locked devices, but the most recent version does not have the capability to crack Gondek's iPhone 17, according to a sworn statement from lead Detective Matthew White during a June 17 court appearance.

White explained that Cellebrite must modify its software each time Apple updates a device model. Although Cellebrite released a software update in April, it only allows information extraction from already-unlocked phones. White indicated he expects a future update based on two factors: Cellebrite will continue doing business and has a proven track record of updating when Apple releases new iPhone iterations.

"Although Detective White cannot say with certainty whether a new update will succeed in accessing the devices, or even if an update will be released, his experience provides some basis to infer that technological developments will be available," Fradsham said in his decision. "That sets forth an articulate and logical reason to grant an extension."

The investigation concerns allegations of municipal corruption involving campaign donations tied to council votes on a proposed land-use bylaw from July 2025. No charges have been laid in connection with the case.