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King, Vaughan men among 28 arrested in organized crime gaming bust

From January to July 2019, the online gambling sportsbook associated with Hell's Angels brought in approximately $13 million, the OPP say
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Four men from Vaughan and King City were among 28 arrested in the multi-jurisdictional takedown of a major illegal gaming enterprise operated by and linked to members of known criminal organizations, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Project Hobart involved 18 organizations, including York Regional Police, and targeted the illegal gaming criminal organization controlled by three known members and one 'prospect" of the Hell's Angels outlaw motorcycle gang — Robert Barletta, Craig McIlquham, Eugenio (Gino) Reda and Raffaele Simonelli, the OPP said in a news release today.

Police have charged 28 people with 228 offences contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and Income Tax Act,  including Commission of Offences for a Criminal Organization, Bookmaking, Firearms, Proceeds of Crime, Money Laundering, Tax Evasion and Fraud against the Government and one person for Breach of Trust. The fraud offence pertains to income tax evasion. 

The majority of the accused have already appeared or are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Brampton over the next four weeks.

Arrested in York Region are:

  • Giuseppe DiMatteo, 62, of King City, charges include Book-Making – Use, Book-Making – Import, Book-Making – Control, Book-Making – Record x2, Book-Making – Engage x2, Commission of offence for criminal organization; First Appearance Jan. 13, 2020;
  • Alessandro Ortolano, 49, of Woodbridge, charges include Book-Making – Import, Book-Making – Control, Book-Making – Engage, Commission of offence for criminal organization; First Appearance Jan. 13, 2020;
  • Gino Reda, 55, of King City, charges include Book-Making – Control, Book-Making – Record, Book-Making – Engage, Commission of offence for criminal organization; First Appearance Jan. 17, 2020;
  • Vito Sili, 37, of Vaughan, charges include Book-Making – Import, Book-Making – Control, Book-Making – Engage, Commission of offence for criminal organization; First Appearance Jan. 17, 2020.

Police also linked the operators of the illegal gaming organization to the Woodbridge-based Figliomeni crime family, of which nine key members were arrested and more than $35 million in cash, houses, merchandise, and luxury vehicles, including an $880,000 Ferrari, was seized last July in the York Regional Police-led Project Sindicato joint forces investigation.

Project Hobart began in January 2018 following an increase in violent crimes, including attempted murders, arsons, extortion threats, shootings and assaults, in Ontario and Quebec from August 2017 to May 2018. During the investigation, a known member of Hell's Angels and member of the illegal gaming organization, Michael Deabaitua-Schulde, was murdered last March as he left a gym in Peel Region.

At a news conference today, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Chief Supt. Paul Beesley, commander of the OPP Investigation and Support Bureau, and executive director Stephane Bonin of Canada Revenue Agency were joined by representatives of the partner agencies to unveil the outcome of the complex investigation.

"Criminal organizations and the hallmarks of their illegal enterprises — gun violence, deaths, assaults and the extraordinary amount of money that fuel further criminal acts continue to threaten public safety," said Carrique. "Police and partner agencies will continue to fully collaborate and aggressively target the ring leaders, their associates, and their lavish criminal lifestyle to make our cities and towns safer."

During the investigation, police identified five sophisticated illegal gaming websites named Ultimate SB, Titan SB, PlaytoWin SB, Privada SB and Players SB. From January to July 2019, the sportsbook associated with Hell's Angels brought in approximately $13 million, the OPP said.

The sportsbooks have likely been operating for more than five years and have brought in gross revenues of more that $131 million, the investigation revealed.

During the search warrants executed last week, police seized or restrained:
    •    Seven residences and two vacation properties valued at just over $8.1 million;
    •    Financial accounts holding a total of more than $1.2 million;
    •    18 vehicles; including luxury and vintage automobiles, three Harley Davidson motorcycles, two snowmobiles and two golf carts;
    •    More than $1.7 million in cash;
    •    Multiple gold and silver coins and bars valued at $320,000;
    •    Many high-end luxury watches and jewelry valued at $303,000;
    •    A total of 21 firearms, including nine illegal handguns, six rifles, three shotguns and three other handguns;
    •    Hells Angels motorcycle gang 'colours';
    •    Two conducted energy weapons and,
    •    Several ballistic vests.

The broader investigation and active takedowns last week involved members of OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Biker Enforcement Unit, the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, the RCMP, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Police, Barrie Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Stratford Police Service, Woodstock Police Service, the Sûreté du Québec and FINTRAC, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.



Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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