Nine Individuals Face Charges in Major York Police Gambling Investigation
York Regional Police have announced significant charges against nine suspects following a comprehensive two-year investigation into illegal gambling operations spanning Vaughan and Toronto. The probe, known as Project Scala, has resulted in the seizure of numerous illicit items and assets, highlighting the scope of organized criminal activity in the region.
Details of the Investigation and Seizures
Beginning in 2024, officers from the Traditional Organized Crime Task Force (TOCTF) initiated their investigation into illegal gambling establishments operating in Vaughan and Toronto. In collaboration with the South Simcoe Police Service, authorities identified suspects allegedly involved in collecting money from these illicit operations.
On January 22, search warrants were executed at multiple locations, including:
- A residence and a gaming house in Vaughan
- Two residences and two gaming houses in Toronto
- A business and a storage locker in Toronto
- Two motor vehicles
As a result of these operations, investigators seized a substantial array of items, including:
- Video gaming machines and related accessories
- Illicit tobacco and alcohol
- A large quantity of bulk currency
- A crypto wallet
- Silver bars and coins
- Two vehicles
- A quantity of controlled substances
Charges and Suspect Information
The nine individuals charged face a variety of offenses related to illegal gambling and associated criminal activities. The charges include:
- Alessaandro Ortolano, 56, of Vaughan, along with Giorgio Campagna, 64, and Giuseppe Minaci, 61, both of Toronto, are charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, traffic in proceeds obtained by crime over $5,000, keep common gaming/betting house, and have money or property for betting/gaming.
- Minaci also faces an additional charge of allow a machine to be kept for gambling/betting.
- Giuseppe Ferraro, 63, of Cambridge, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possess property obtained by crime over $5,000, and keep common gaming/betting house.
- Caprice Sluman, 61, of Vaughan, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and keep common gaming/betting house.
- Paul Lessis, 47, of Innisfil, Gaspere Malfara, 70, of Vaughan, and James Sze, 27, of Toronto, are all charged with keep common gaming/betting house.
- Salvatore Blanda, 50, of Tottenham, is charged with found in gaming/betting house.
Public Assistance and Reporting
York Regional Police are urging anyone with additional information related to this case to come forward. Individuals can contact the York Regional Police Major Projects Unit at 1-866-876-5423, extension 6970. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or visiting their website at 1800222tips.com.
This investigation underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat organized crime and illegal gambling activities in the Greater Toronto Area, with authorities emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in these matters.
