Telegramgate

Quick Facts: Who was Telegramgate?

Subject:

Telegramgate

Known for:

A major 2019 political scandal in Puerto Rico involving leaked racist and homophobic chats.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Telegramgate, also known as Chatgate, RickyLeaks and Verano del '19 (transl. Summer of '19), was a political scandal involving Ricardo Rosselló, Governor of Puerto Rico. The scandal unfolded on July 8, 2019, with the leak of hundreds of pages of a group chat between Rosselló and members of his cabinet on the messaging application Telegram. The document exposed racist and homophobic conversations that targeted several individuals and groups, including discussions on how the members of the group chat would conspire to use the media to their gain and target political opponents. The leak came in the midst of allegations by the former Secretary of Treasury of Puerto Rico, Raúl Maldonado Gautier, that his department boasted an "institutional mafia", in which Rosselló was involved in.

Career & Major Achievements

The leaks also surfaced a year after a previous scandal, dubbed WhatsApp Gate, involving other members of Rosselló's cabinet. Mass protests arose, reaching up to a million people at a single event on July 17. On July 22, up to a million protesters shut down the Expreso Las Américas, an 11-lane highway. While several of his staff resigned in the wake of the leaks, Rosselló initially refused to resign as governor and simply resigned as president of the governing pro-statehood New Progressive Party on July 21 and said he would not seek re-election in the 2020 Puerto Rican general election. By July 22, there had been eleven consecutive days of protests, near La Fortaleza, the Governor's residence in San Juan.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On July 24, Rosselló announced that he would resign as governor on August 2. On August 2, Pedro Pierluisi, former resident commissioner of Puerto Rico was sworn in immediately after Rosselló left office, but was later ordered by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico to abandon, since his swearing-in was not constitutional. Ultimately, the secretary of justice of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vázquez Garced, who was initially reluctant to take office, was sworn in as governor of Puerto Rico. She became the second woman to assume the office and the first person to take over the position by succession and not by a democratic election. On July 8, 2019, a small segment of Telegram chat messages between Ricardo Rosselló and various members of his cabinet, former advisors, and former campaign managers were leaked and spread by the local press.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2019: 2019 Milestone — The scandal unfolded on July 8, 2019, with the leak of hundreds of pages of a group chat between Rosselló and members of his cabinet on the messaging application Telegram.
2. 2020: 2020 Milestone — While several of his staff resigned in the wake of the leaks, Rosselló initially refused to resign as governor and simply resigned as president of the governing pro-statehood New Progressive Party on July 21 and said he would not seek re-election in the 2020 Puerto Rican general election.

Notable Quotes by Telegramgate

“The leaks also surfaced a year after a previous scandal, dubbed WhatsApp Gate...”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Telegramgate

True or False: “Did the initial leak of the Telegram messages occur before Governor Rosselló was vacationing in France?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The leaks began on July 8, 2019, while Rosselló was reportedly vacationing in France starting around July 11.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Telegramgate