The backroom of judicial appointments in Chile has been put under the public spotlight after the revelation of conversations by lawyer Luis Hermosilla. A report by Ciper has revealed the influence of the aforementioned lawyer in the appointment of ministers in courts of the Judiciary. Although for now no crimes have been found directly linked to these appointments, the conversations show how Hermosilla managed to ensure that figures such as Jean Pierre Matus and Antonio Ulloa occupied important judicial positions.
In the files that the Eastern Prosecutor’s Office reviews with great caution, evidence has been found of the influence exerted by Hermosilla in the appointment of ministers. From supporting Jean Pierre Matus to reach the Supreme Court in 2021 to the efforts for Antonio Ulloa to join the Court of Appeals of Santiago that same year, the chats reveal the lawyer’s interference in these processes.
Jean Pierre Matus, in statements to Ciper, confirmed having spoken with Hermosilla during his application process, although he claimed to be unaware of the efforts made by the lawyer on his behalf. For his part, Antonio Ulloa acknowledged his contacts with Hermosilla, highlighting his support during his application to the Court of Appeals of Santiago. Ulloa also mentioned his relationship with the lawyer, revealing that they shared morning exchanges of poems.
These revelations raise questions about the system of judicial appointments in Chile and the influence of contact networks in these processes. Although Ulloa assures that he did not receive payments for his appointment and that the system of influence has always been part of the process, the revelations raise concerns about possible conflicts of interest and transparency in the appointment of judicial authorities.
The situation has also highlighted the need for reforms in the judicial appointment system to ensure impartiality and transparency in these processes. Meanwhile, investigations by the Eastern Prosecutor’s Office continue, and are expected to shed more light on the practices and relationships that have influenced judicial appointments in Chile.
The Hermosilla chat revelations are a reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity and independence of the judicial system, as well as the need to strengthen control and accountability mechanisms in the process of appointing judicial authorities.
This case is still developing and it is likely that details will continue to emerge that shed light on the influence exerted by Hermosilla and other actors in the Chilean judicial system.