Toronto cop admits supplying burner phones from lost property to officer in corruption probe

A former Toronto police constable has admitted to supplying burner phones from the force's lost property division to another officer facing serious corruption charges. Const. Derek McCormick pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft over $5,000 and breach of trust. He is the first officer charged in Project South, a York Regional Police investigation into alleged corruption, to plead guilty.

McCormick was reportedly struggling with a painkiller addiction and began buying drugs from Const. Timothy Barnhardt, who faces 17 charges including cocaine trafficking and bribery. According to an agreed statement of facts, McCormick used his position at 52 Division to provide Barnhardt with at least one phone from lost and found. "At no time, in the discussions intercepted by police, did Barnhardt tell McCormick expressly why he wanted cellular phones, except that McCormick understood Barnhardt wanted a 'burner phone,'" the document states.

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At no time, in the discussions intercepted by police, did Barnhardt tell McCormick expressly why he wanted cellular phones, except that McCormick understood Barnhardt wanted a ‘burner phone,'

McCormick allegedly told Barnhardt he would get him a phone once he returned to 52 Division. Undercover officers later posed as individuals handing in stolen phones to 52 Division, which McCormick allegedly took without logging them or issuing receipts. The court document notes McCormick did not have deeper links to the alleged plot at the center of Project South and did not know Barnhardt's specific plans for the burner phones.

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Don’t worry brother, as soon as I get back to 52 next month, we will get u a bucket nice phone