Toronto Police Constable Timothy Barnhardt allegedly used police databases to leak confidential information to suspected organized crime figures, with those searches reportedly linked to multiple shooter-for-hire attacks in the Greater Toronto Area in 2025, according to newly released warrant applications that led to the Project South takedown. The explosive allegations detail a troubling pattern of police corruption that investigators say put innocent lives at risk while Constable Barnhardt allegedly collected cash payments for his services.
Database Searches Linked to Violence
The newly released court materials paint a disturbing picture of how police database queries allegedly translated into real-world violence. According to the warrant applications, while Constable Barnhardt was under active surveillance by authorities, he allegedly accepted money from criminal figures in exchange for making “numerous” licence plate queries. Those criminal figures then reportedly relayed addresses linked to the plate searches to hired gunmen.
The gunmen were allegedly paid to intimidate people and settle scores, according to the warrant applications. This chain of events demonstrates how confidential police information can become a weapon in the hands of organized crime when officers allegedly betray their oath to serve and protect the public.
“Barnhardt routinely abused his position as a police officer by selling confidential database information to criminal associates in exchange for cash.”
Constable D’Onofrio, who signed an affidavit related to the 2025 search-warrant application materials, further alleged that Barnhardt “explicitly expressed indifference to the potential harm caused by the misuse of this information.” This statement suggests the accused officer was allegedly aware his actions could lead to violence against the individuals whose information he allegedly sold.
Project South Investigation Origins
The Project South investigation was sparked by a particularly violent incident: the alleged attempted murder of a corrections officer at his home in June 2025. This attack served as the catalyst for what would become one of the most significant police corruption investigations in Toronto’s recent history.
Investigators allege that Constable Barnhardt was paid to use police databases to leak information about the corrections officer to alleged organized crime figure Brian Da Costa. Both Constable Barnhardt and Mr. Da Costa are currently in jail awaiting trial on an array of charges.
The warrants authorizing police search efforts were issued after the June 2025 attack and before raids in February that led to charges against seven serving Toronto Police officers including Constable Barnhardt, one retired officer, and nearly 20 civilians. The scope of the investigation reveals the alleged depth of criminal infiltration within law enforcement circles.
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Surveillance Evidence Detailed in Court Documents
The warrant materials released this week provide detailed accounts of alleged interactions between Constable Barnhardt and Mr. Da Costa, who police describe as the key civilian figure in Project South. According to the ITO materials, Constable Barnhardt conducted many of his licence plate searches at the behest of Mr. Da Costa, who is described as an accused drug dealer.
Surveillance teams allegedly observed the two men together on multiple occasions. They were reportedly spotted exchanging documents, capturing images on their phones, and even sitting inside a police cruiser that had a data terminal inside. The presence of a police data terminal would have allowed direct access to confidential databases.
The newly released documents describe a particularly damning alleged transaction: “While Barnhardt explained the meaning of the police query results, Da Costa ultimately handed Barnhardt multiple $100 Canadian bills which he placed in the front pocket of his police vest.” This alleged exchange was reportedly captured during surveillance operations.
Court Rulings on Evidence Release
The additional details of the allegations against Constable Barnhardt were released in court documents following an application in Ontario Superior Court by a consortium of media partners, including The Globe and Mail. The files included what are known as information to obtain documents, which investigators use to get judicial authorization to conduct searches and make arrests.
While some content from these documents was released in July, portions were placed under a publication ban as the Crown and media outlets argued over whether their release should be shielded to protect fair trial rights. This legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between public transparency and defendants’ rights in high-profile criminal cases.
Justice Laura Bird ruled on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, that some transcripts of key recordings that led to the Project South takedown will remain under a publication ban. She concluded that inflammatory comments attributed to Constable Barnhardt would “deeply offend” the public and create an indelible impression on potential jurors.
However, Justice Bird lifted the ban on previously unreported evidence investigators gathered against Constable Barnhardt, allowing the public to learn more about his alleged interactions with Mr. Da Costa. Toronto lawyers Jason Dos Santos, who represents Constable Barnhardt, and Craig Bottomley, who represents Mr. Da Costa, declined to comment on the newly released materials.
Implications for Community Trust in Police
The allegations in the Project South investigation raise serious concerns about police integrity and the protection of confidential information within law enforcement databases. When officers allegedly sell access to sensitive personal data, it undermines the trust that communities place in police services to protect rather than endanger residents.
For immigrants and newcomers to Canada, understanding how government and institutional systems work is essential. Cases like Project South remind all Canadians of the importance of oversight mechanisms and accountability structures within public institutions.
The case also highlights how organized crime can allegedly infiltrate legitimate institutions to further criminal enterprises. The alleged connection between database queries and shooter-for-hire attacks demonstrates the potentially deadly consequences of corruption within law enforcement.
The corrections officer whose alleged attempted murder sparked the investigation reportedly fears for his life, according to earlier court proceedings. His case illustrates how alleged police corruption can put public servants and their families at direct risk of violence.
What is Project South?
Project South is a major Toronto Police investigation that led to charges against seven serving Toronto Police officers, one retired officer, and nearly 20 civilians. It was sparked by an alleged attempted murder of a corrections officer in June 2025 and focuses on alleged police corruption and ties to organized crime.
Who is Timothy Barnhardt?
Timothy Barnhardt is a Toronto Police Constable named as a central figure in Project South. He is accused of using police databases to sell confidential information to criminal associates in exchange for cash. He is currently in jail awaiting trial on multiple charges.
What evidence has been released about the case?
Ontario Superior Court released warrant application materials including information to obtain documents. These detail alleged surveillance observations of Constable Barnhardt meeting with accused organized crime figure Brian Da Costa, including alleged cash exchanges and database query explanations.
Why are some materials still under publication ban?
Justice Laura Bird ruled that some transcripts of key recordings remain under publication ban because inflammatory comments attributed to Constable Barnhardt could “deeply offend” the public and create an indelible impression on potential jurors, potentially affecting fair trial rights.
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Both Constable Barnhardt and Mr. Da Costa remain in custody as they await their trials. The legal proceedings stemming from Project South are expected to continue through the Ontario court system, with upcoming hearings to address the extensive charges against all defendants involved in this alleged police corruption network.
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