2 charged, including former Toronto police officer, in online gambling ring investigation

55-year-old John Madeley. Madeley, 55, of Barrie, and 47-year-old Thomas Phippard, of Toronto, have been charged in connection with an extortion investigation. Madeley is a retired Toronto police officer. (Madeley photo/CTV News Toronto screengrab/Phippard photo/YRP)

Police have arrested and charged a former Toronto police officer and laid additional charges against another man for their alleged involvement in an online gambling ring.

York Regional Police (YRP) say between January 2024 and October 2025, a crime group “allowed access to gaming websites where victims placed bets on credit.”

They say victims who lost their bets were required to settle their debts in cash, sometimes in “exaggerated” amounts.

Investigators allege the suspects used threats and violence to intimidate victims in order to collect payment.

On Monday, police executed a search warrant at a home in Toronto, which resulted in 47-year-Thomas Phippard, of Toronto, being charged with three additional counts on extortion and one count of utter threats.

Phippard, also known as “Frank the Tank,” was charged late last year with 11 offences in connection with this ongoing investigation.

Two other suspects were also arrested and charged last September.

• READ MORE: York police charge third suspect in online gambling extortion investigation

On Tuesday, officers raided another home, this time in Barrie, where they arrested and charged 55-year-old John Madeley.

Madeley, whom police have identified as a former Toronto police officer, is facing one count each of breach of trust, possession of firearm at unauthorized place, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 as well as two counts of possession of prohibited device and four counts of unauthorized use of computer.

Toronto police has confirmed to CP24 that Madeley, whose badge number was 5082, retired from the force on Apr. 1, 2025, after 28 years of service. At the time of his retirement. he was a police constable at 12 Division, they said.

The charges laid against either man have not been proven in court.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are encouraging them to come forward.

His investigation is led by YRP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, in partnership with the South Simcoe Police Service.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866 876-5423, ext. 6980, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.