Watch: Gambling cop facing new charges
LAVAL — The Montreal police officer arrested in Thursday’s illegal bookmaking case will spend at least the next five days behind bars.
On Friday, 49-year-old André Thibodeau was formally charged at the Laval Courthouse.
However, prosecutors in the case objected to his immediate release on bail.
A bail hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday afternoon.
Sgt. Thibodeau, a 24-year veteran of the Montreal Police force, worked at Station 33 in Park Extension.
According to court documents, he was one of the ringleaders of an elaborate illegal gambling network; one which had links to the Montreal Mafia.
A total of 12 people were arrested Thursday.
The network took bets on anything it could, including professional sports, and accepted wagers at times of more than $100,000.
One of the places raided in Thursday’s bust was Café Acropolis on Bloomfield Avenue in Park Extension.
Located a short walk from Station 33, the role of the bar in the bookmaking network was not clear.
Sgt. Thibodeau is facing a total of 15 charges including counts of conspiracy, breach of trust, obstruction of justice and two counts of gangsterism.
Crown Prosecutor Isabelle Poulin told Global News if he is found guilty of the gangsterism counts, he could face up to life in prison.
Sgt. Thibodeau has been suspended without pay by the Montreal police department.
Defence attorney Normand Bibeau told Global News that Thibodeau is married and is the father of a 20-year-old son.
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