Toronto Officer Labeled 'Genesis' of Project South Corruption Denied Bail
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Const. Timothy Barnhardt faces 10 charges in a sweeping probe involving organized crime and the sale of confidential police data.
Justice Philip Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court has denied bail for a third time to Toronto police Const. Timothy Barnhardt, 56, according to CBC Toronto. Barnhardt, who has been in custody since February, is described by investigators as the “genesis” of the Project South corruption investigation.
Barnhardt faces 10 charges—the highest number of any of the eight Toronto police officers (including one retired officer) arrested in the probe. Allegations include trafficking drugs and police uniforms, accepting bribes to protect illegal cannabis dispensaries, and leaking confidential information to criminals to facilitate targeted shootings, CBC Toronto reports.
An information to obtain (ITO) application cited by CBC Toronto alleges that Barnhardt frequently sold confidential database data to alleged drug trafficker and civilian Brian Da Costa. Investigators allege Barnhardt provided private information regarding a senior corrections officer to Da Costa, who then allegedly shared it with others involved in a conspiracy to kill that officer at the Toronto South Detention Centre.
The broader Project South investigation, led by York Regional Police, began in June 2025. The probe resulted in charges for 20 civilians in addition to the police officers. While two officers and one civilian have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, the charges against Barnhardt have not yet been tested in court.