Former Toronto police officer and Barrie man charged in Ontario police probe gambling extortion ring
The York Regional Police Organized Enforcement Bureau in Ontario, working alongside the South Simcoe Police Service, has charged a former Toronto police officer and another suspect in connection with an ongoing gambling extortion investigation involving organized crime.
According to a press release from the York Regional Police, police searched a residence in Toronto, which led to Thomas Phippard being charged in this case on Monday (January 12). The 47-year-old was charged with three counts of extortion.
The following day, police executed a search warrant at a property in Barrie, in which a 55-year-old named John Madeley was charged with several offences, including breach of trust, possession of a firearm at an unauthorized place and two counts of possession of prohibited devices.
Even more remarkable was the fact that Madeley was a former Toronto Police officer.
Organized crime group was responsible for illegal gaming and betting activities
Between January 2024 and October 2025, both Phippard and Madeley were working with an organized crime group that was responsible for illegal gambling and betting activities.
The victims placed bets on illegal gaming websites, and if they lost, they were forced to settle any debts with large sums of cash.
Both Phippard and Madeley used threats of violence in order to collect the cash from the victims.
Madeley had only retired from active duty in the Toronto Police Force less than 12 months ago, finishing his 28 years of service on April 1, 2025.
Given that this extortion ring stretches back two years, and perhaps beyond, the 55-year-old was working alongside Phippard while still serving as a constable in the department.
Following the arrests of both men, many more victims could come to light regarding their experiences in this extortion investigation, with the full picture of events not yet determined by the York Regional Police Organized Enforcement Bureau.
Featured Image: York Regional Police press release
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