Wallace said Denis told him he wanted to trace sources Smith had drawn on for a story about whether the size of Denis’s wedding reception broke COVID-19 protocols.Wallace told The Canadian Press that Denis got his name through Alan Hallman and Gerald Chipeur, longtime conservative operatives.
Wallace said he has had a 30-year career in political backrooms. He spoke with The Canadian Press because, he said, he’s had enough.Wallace said he’s also grown concerned his work could be used to intimidate people or improperly influence political debate. “I got a phone call from Hallman, asking me to speak to his friend Jonathan,” Wallace said. “I said, ‘OK.’”
In the documents,a message that appears to come fromDenis claims the Calgary Herald received a tip about his Jan. 30, 2021, wedding reception. “Rest easy, it won’t be a hard fix,” Wallace appears to have responded. “People like the ones who do such things are always sloppy and leave lots of evidence.”“I am hiring you on the recommendation of Alan Hallman, who says you have got tangible results for him,” said an email that day, apparently from Denis to Wallace.
“Hello, picking up the cell carrier logs from my source this afternoon,” says an email from an account that appears to belong to Wallace. “I’ll need $1,100 to cover the rest of bill for it. If that’s authorized let me know and you can e-transfer me.”Wallace said he falsified some of the information he gave Denis out of concern for the reporter’s safety.
Denis’s lawyer, Brendan Miller, said in a letter his client is unable to respond to questions raised by the emails because that would force Denis to violate solicitor-client privilege.