LONDON - TelAve -- A major controversy is unfolding in the UK High Court involving Mexican tycoon Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who is alleged to have orchestrated a clandestine espionage operation with the assistance of his British legal advisers during an ongoing loan dispute.

According to court filings and sources close to the matter, Salinas—along with multiple UK lawyers—allegedly employed the services of Black Cube, an Israeli private intelligence agency known for employing ex-Mossad operatives, to secretly gather sensitive information from the defendants' legal counsel.

Covert Operation and Recordings

The scheme reportedly involved operatives posing as potential clients under fake names, who arranged meetings with the defense lawyer in London and Amsterdam. During these encounters, the target was allegedly encouraged to drink heavily, while private conversations—believed to include confidential legal strategy—were secretly recorded without consent.

Timeline of Legal Representation

Salinas's first legal representation in the matter came from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, though their role in the covert operation remains unclear.

At the time of the recordings, Salinas was represented by Enyo Law LLP, a prominent London firm. Sources suggest the firm may have withdrawn following a financial dispute with Salinas, who has a reputation for failing to honor payment obligations to professionals.

Following Enyo's departure, Salinas appointed LK Law LLP, an Anglo-Australian firm. It is alleged that LK Law took possession of the covert recordings and submitted them to the UK court—a move that legal experts say could constitute serious breaches of legal privilege, potential abuse of process, and possibly perverting the course of justice.

Neither Enyo Law nor LK Law have issued public comments regarding their alleged roles.

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Manipulated Evidence and Unknown Agents

Insiders allege the recordings were digitally manipulated to obscure the identities of operatives and may include edited or falsified responses. The true identities of the agents remain unknown, as they used aliases throughout the operation.

Black Cube has faced similar allegations in the past. Its founders—Dan Zorella, Avi Yanus, and Gal Farch—were previously convicted in Romania for offenses involving illegal data collection, including computer fraud, data interception, and breach of privacy. Although they received criminal sentences, the details of their incarceration remain unclear.

Allegations in the Loan Dispute

The broader dispute centers on a loan agreement in which Salinas served as guarantor, while Corporacion RBS S.A. de C.V., a corporate entity allegedly controlled by him, acted as borrower. The defense claims a default occurred on the US $115 million loan, and that Salinas manipulated the stock price of Grupo Elektra S.A.B. de C.V., the pledged collateral, to serve his personal interests.

List of Lawyers Under Scrutiny

Among those reportedly implicated in the scandal are:

• Stephen Robins KC, John David Meredith Wardell KC, Adam Cloherty KC
• Henry Phillips, Matthew Abraham, Ryan Perkins
• Richard Greenberg, Stephanie Wilkins, Andrew John Ford
• Edward John Whitney Allen, Adam Flacks, Hana Kapadia, Disa Greaves

Formal complaints have been filed with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Bar Standards Board (BSB), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Disciplinary consequences range from suspension to permanent disbarment, and may include criminal prosecution.

There are also indications that select Members of Parliament and House of Lords peers have been briefed, raising the prospect of parliamentary scrutiny into legal ethics and surveillance abuse.

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Broader Implications

Legal experts warn that accepting such recordings into evidence could set a dangerous precedent in UK civil litigation. If allowed, it may open the floodgates for covert surveillance of lawyers, judges, and litigants, threatening the sanctity of legal privilege and the integrity of court proceedings.

Statement from the Defense

A spokesperson affiliated with the defense stated:

"This was a calculated and unlawful scheme to derail the judicial process. Luring a solicitor under false pretenses, plying them with alcohol, and secretly taping privileged discussions is not only unethical—it may be criminal. We are urging for a thorough investigation of all those involved. The SFO, SRA, BSB, MoJ, and CPS must act swiftly, and we hope Parliament will examine the gravity of this misconduct."

Background on Ricardo Salinas

Salinas has a long history of legal controversies. He was previously criminally charged with fraud in the United States, and various business partners and media outlets have accused him of fraudulent schemes spanning decades. Most recently, he is alleged to have artificially inflated Grupo Elektra's stock price to boost his personal net worth, followed by a deliberate crash of the stock in an attempt to take the company private at a steep discount.

What Happens Next

The UK High Court is now tasked with determining whether Salinas's current legal team should be removed from the case or formally sanctioned, or if other remedies will be imposed for introducing covertly acquired, potentially doctored evidence into proceedings.

This matter could reshape how surveillance, privilege, and professional conduct are treated in high-value cross-border litigation—and will likely be closely watched across both legal and political spheres.

Sources;

UK Court filings (Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd vs. Salinas)
Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd statements
Ricardo Salinas under scrutiny for alleged use of Black Cube in UK $115M loan dispute

Disclaimer: The matters described involve allegations that remain subject to ongoing legal and regulatory review. No findings of liability or guilt have been made, and all individuals and entities mentioned are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.