Former Vaughan Real Estate Agent Pleads Guilty in Project South Extortion Plot

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada

28 OCTOBER 2026

TORONTO, Ontario — A former real estate agent from Vaughan, Ontario, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion after admitting his involvement in a plan to recover money from a contractor through threats of extreme violence.

Mahyar Soldouzi, 43, entered the guilty plea in a Toronto courtroom on Wednesday, October 28, in a case connected to Project South, a major investigation into alleged corruption involving Toronto police officers and criminal networks.

The court heard that Soldouzi offered to pay Ryan Cribbie, a 34-year-old man from Barrie, to collect a debt owed to Soldouzi’s family by a contractor who had allegedly failed to complete work.

According to the agreed statement of facts presented in court, Soldouzi knew Cribbie intended to use violence to obtain the money.

Although the plan involved threats of serious harm, the intended attack did not take place. Police identified the potential victim and warned him that he could be in danger.

Superior Court Justice Catherine Rhinelander accepted a joint sentencing recommendation from the Crown and defence, imposing a 16-month conditional sentence to be served in the community, followed by two years of probation.

How the extortion plan developed

Court proceedings established that investigators began intercepting communications involving Soldouzi and Cribbie during a broader investigation launched by York Regional Police in June 2025.

The investigation, known as Project South, initially examined allegations of police corruption and the leaking of confidential information to criminal networks.

During intercepted conversations, investigators heard the two men discussing a debt owed to Soldouzi’s family.

On October 15, 2025, Cribbie reportedly asked whether an earlier offer involving approximately $27,000 remained available. The court heard that Soldouzi expressed interest in having the debt collected, while acknowledging that his mother was concerned about the arrangement.

Later conversations focused on a contractor identified in court as Alireza Jamalsalahi.

According to the agreed facts, Soldouzi supplied information about the intended target, including an address in Richmond Hill and details about the money allegedly owed.

The court heard that Cribbie described plans to use serious violence, including throwing a Molotov cocktail through a window and assaulting the target.

Cribbie also discussed bringing other men to help carry out the plan.

Soldouzi did not object to the proposed violence during the intercepted conversations. Instead, he asked Cribbie not to identify him or his family when attempting to collect the money.

Police warned the intended victim

The investigation allowed police to identify Jamalsalahi as the intended target.

On November 2, 2025, officers contacted him and advised him of the potential danger.

Court heard that Jamalsalahi had already experienced ongoing disputes involving money allegedly owed for contractor work. He and his wife had reportedly received repeated calls and messages concerning the debt.

Following the police warning, the family relocated from their home for several weeks. Their basement tenants also had to move out.

In a victim impact statement, Jamalsalahi described the fear experienced by his family and their loss of a sense of safety in their own home.

The Crown suggested that Soldouzi should pay $3,100 in restitution to help compensate for losses associated with the relocation.

Although the intercepted conversations included discussions about surveillance and possible locations for an attack, the Crown told the court there was no evidence that Cribbie actually attended the victim’s home or the restaurants discussed during the investigation.

The threatened violence was therefore not carried out, but the conspiracy itself resulted in a criminal conviction.

Judge identifies aggravating factors

During sentencing, the court considered both the circumstances of the offence and Soldouzi’s personal circumstances.

The judge identified the financially motivated nature of the plan and Soldouzi’s willingness to pursue the debt outside lawful channels as serious aggravating factors.

The court also considered that Soldouzi knew Cribbie was contemplating extreme violence and did not object when the plan was discussed.

Justice Rhinelander said Soldouzi had sought to take matters into his own hands rather than pursue proper legal remedies.

The court nevertheless accepted the joint sentencing recommendation presented by the prosecution and defence.

Factors considered in mitigation included Soldouzi’s guilty plea, his expression of remorse, the completion of 85 hours of community service and the fact that nobody was physically injured.

The court also heard that Soldouzi had no previous criminal record and was not otherwise involved in the other alleged criminal activity uncovered through Project South.

What the sentence means

Soldouzi received a 16-month conditional sentence order, which allows a sentence of imprisonment to be served in the community under strict conditions rather than in a correctional facility.

The first six months are to be served under house arrest. This is followed by five months of house arrest subject to a curfew between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., with the remaining period governed by the conditions of the order.

After completing the 16-month sentence, Soldouzi will be subject to two years of probation.

The sentence reflects the court’s assessment of the offence, the agreed recommendation of the Crown and defence, and the mitigating circumstances presented during the hearing.

How Project South fits into the case

Project South began in June 2025 and grew into a wide-ranging investigation by York Regional Police into allegations involving police corruption, unauthorised access to confidential information and criminal networks.

Investigators examined allegations that confidential information was improperly obtained and passed to people connected to criminal activity.

The investigation resulted in arrests involving current and former Toronto police officers and other suspects. The allegations across the broader case include offences connected to extortion, violence and the alleged misuse of police authority.

Several individuals have faced separate court proceedings, and some have pleaded guilty to specific offences. Other charges and allegations remain before the courts and must be assessed individually.

Toronto police Constable Timothy Barnhardt, who is facing numerous charges connected to the wider investigation, remains in custody awaiting trial, according to court reporting.

The fact that an individual is charged in the broader Project South investigation does not mean that every allegation against that person has been proven.

A warning about taking debt collection into your own hands

The Soldouzi case highlights the serious legal consequences that can follow when a financial dispute is pursued through threats or planned violence rather than lawful procedures.

A person who believes money is owed to them can seek legal advice and use the civil justice system to pursue repayment. Attempting to intimidate, threaten or arrange violence against a debtor or another person can instead expose those involved to criminal prosecution.

For the intended victim in this case, the consequences extended beyond the money dispute itself: the police warning and the fear of a possible attack forced his family to leave their home temporarily.

Although no physical attack occurred, the court treated the conspiracy as a serious offence.

The case adds another development to Project South, an investigation that has raised wider questions about police accountability, the protection of confidential information and the relationship between public officials and criminal networks.