Hamilton police officer charged in Toronto gang raid facing new charges

A suspended Hamilton police officer is facing a series of new charges after being arrested Tuesday in Toronto.

Craig Ruthowsky has been charged with 16 offences, including bribery, breach of trust, obstructing justice, robbery, public mischief, fraud under $5,000, drug and weapon trafficking and perjury.

At least one of the new charges is related to allegations the 43-year-old former gangs and guns unit officer had a gun planted at the home of a target in 2010.

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Hamilton police suspended Ruthowsky in 2012 after investigating allegations that he improperly disclosed licence plate information from the Canadian Police Information Centre.

Toronto police arrested Ruthowsky as part of “Project Pharaoh” in 2015, accusing him of being part of a Hamilton criminal organization that was connected to a Toronto street gang.

Ruthowsky was released on bail with conditions and remains suspended with pay.