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 …