A former Toronto police officer accused of collaborating with organized crime groups made his initial virtual court appearance in Newmarket on Friday morning. John Madeley Sr., 55, who was arrested in January and faced additional charges earlier this month, appeared through his lawyer.
Project South Investigation Uncovers Widespread Corruption
York Regional Police charged Madeley Sr. alongside seven other Toronto Police Service officers, including his son John Madeley Jr., 29, as part of Project South. This seven-month probe exposed alleged police ties to at least eight targeted shootings, extortion schemes, and robberies.
Investigators allege multiple officers assisted organized crime networks engaged in drug trafficking and illegal gambling across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario by leaking confidential information. In total, authorities arrested 27 individuals.
Charges Against Madeley Sr. and Associates
Madeley Sr., who served nearly 30 years with Toronto Police out of 12 Division before retiring on April 1, 2025, faces charges including breach of trust, multiple counts of unauthorized computer use, firearms offenses, and possession of crime proceeds exceeding $5,000. The case stems from a joint effort by York and South Simcoe police.
Authorities link Madeley Sr. and Thomas Phippard, 47, known as Frank the Tank, to an illegal online gambling operation. The pair allegedly employed threats and violence to enforce collection of gambling debts.
During his son’s police graduation in October 2022, Madeley Sr. described the event as the “proudest moment” of his life. Both father and son face accusations of sharing sensitive police data with criminal groups.
Additional Suspects and Violent Plots
A February 5 press conference featuring Toronto and York Regional Police leaders revealed videos and details of violent incidents, including a plot to murder a corrections officer at his residence. Keajean Doman, 23, from Innisfil, faces attempted murder charges and remains in custody.
Madeley Sr.’s long-time colleague, Constable Timothy Barnhardt, 56, confronts 17 charges and was denied bail after a special hearing in Toronto this month.
The accused are set to return to court in Toronto next month. All allegations remain unproven in court.
