Anti-corruption prosecutor’s computer with ‘compromising case data’ stolen in ‘targeted’ burglary

Juan Pablo Lozano (pictured left, with judge Andrés Carrillo on the right) said his house had been broken into at the weekend while he was away, meaning the thieves now have access to data on the high-profile Novo Carthago and Umbra cases.

Head of prosecution for the Murcia Region Manuel López Bernal says the theft is ‘rather strange’, since in a ‘typical’ burglary other items besides the computer and a piece of paper with Lozano’s mobile PIN written on it would have been taken.

And if professional thieves had been involved, they would have stolen other personal effects to put investigators off the scent.

He believes whoever broke in and took the computer was ‘making a statement’ to the anti-corruption leader, to the effect of, “we know we can get into your house, your privacy, and that of your family.”

The burglars entered via a neighbouring flat, also on the top floor, and went directly to Lozano’s apartment, López Bernal says.

Fortunately, Lozano has back-up copies of the cases he is working on, although he is now concerned that confidential information which could compromise inquiries may be in someone else’s hands.