By David Amoruso for Gangsters Inc.
Canada’s police force has been rocked by one of the most explosive corruption scandals in its history, with at least seven active and one retired Toronto police officers arrested and charged in a sweeping organized crime probe involving illegal gambling, extortion, drug trafficking, bribery and an alleged conspiracy to commit murder.
Officers from other police services were also taken down as part of the investigation, which is being led by York Regional Police. Several of the accused are veteran cops with over a decade on the job.
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At a news conference, York Regional Police Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan said officers had illegally accessed and distributed confidential information to organized crime figures, in some cases in exchange for bribes, and that the information was used to carry out violent crimes, like shootings, extortion rackets, and an attempted contract killing.
From retired cop to criminal middleman
The probe traces back to the arrest of recently retired Toronto Police Const. John Madeley Sr., a 28-year veteran who left the force last April. Investigators allege 55-year-old Madeley became a middleman between active-duty officers and an organized crime group involved in illegal gaming and betting operations across the Greater Toronto Area.
The investigation uncovered alleged involvement in auto theft, drug trafficking, extortion and a chilling plot to murder a senior corrections official. Officers are accused of unlawfully accessing police databases and leaking home addresses, including those of police officers, to criminal associates and hitmen.
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The alleged conspiracy to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre that occurred in June is one of the most brazen crimes in this case.
According to police, gangsters made multiple attempts to reach the intended target’s home before being intercepted by officers who were already providing protection.
Hogan said suspects were arrested after ramming a police vehicle during one attempt. “That incident was the catalyst,” he said, adding that it revealed Toronto officers had been feeding personal information to a criminal network.
The public cracks in the case began to show in January when 47-year-old Thomas Phippard, of Toronto, known on the street as “Frank” or “Frank the Tank,” was hit with a new round of charges tied to an ongoing extortion investigation.
Phippard, who had already been arrested in connection with a kidnapping linked to illegal gambling, was charged with 11 offences including kidnapping, extortion and weapons possession. He now faces additional counts of extortion and uttering threats.
Police allege Phippard and Madeley worked with an organized crime group that ran unlawful online gaming platforms between January 2024 and October 2025. Victims were allowed to gamble on credit. When they lost, they were allegedly forced to repay inflated debts in cash, often under threat of violence.
A task force raid on a Barrie residence led to Madeley’s arrest. He is charged with breach of trust, unauthorized use of a computer, firearms and prohibited device offences, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Before leaving the force, Madeley worked out of 12 Division in northwest Toronto, the same division where several of the accused officers were allegedly stationed.
Investigators allege 56-year-old Toronto Police Const. Timothy Barnhardt provided sensitive information to Brian Da Costa, an alleged key figure in a Toronto-based criminal organization with international ties. Barnhardt is also accused of accepting bribes to protect illegal cannabis dispensaries and participating in cocaine trafficking.
Other charged officers include:
- 29-year-old John Madeley Jr., Madeley’s son. Junior is accused of unlawfully accessing and distributing confidential information.
- 57-year-old Derek McCormick, who is accused of stealing government-issued identification, passports and bank cards turned in to police. His information allegedly led to multiple shootings.
- 24-year-old Elias Mouawad, who is accused of releasing confidential information in support of illicit activities.
- Officers Robert Black, Saurabjit Bedi, and Carl Grellette are also accused of participating in bribery schemes orchestrated by Da Costa, allegedly providing protection to illegal cannabis operations while some were involved in cocaine trafficking.
A “painful and unsettling” scandal
“This is a painful and unsettling moment,” Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said. “When organized crime penetrates the Toronto Police Service, the harm goes far beyond the immediate wrongdoing.”
Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell said the allegations are disturbing and emphasized that legal support for charged officers is not automatic. “There is nothing our members hate more than a corrupt cop,” Campbell said.
Investigators say the probe is ongoing and warn that additional victims, and potentially more arrests, are expected.
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