SCARBOROUGH, ON – Two former automotive managers have filed a massive $11 million lawsuit against Toronto Police after a high-profile auto theft investigation completely collapsed. Harris Bocknek and Fadi Zeto, former employees at Rouge Valley Mitsubishi in Scarborough, are demanding financial compensation and a personal apology from Police Chief Myron Demkiw.
The Failure of Project Warden
The legal battle stems from a summer 2024 investigation known as Project Warden. Authorities initially accused Bocknek and Zeto of running a sophisticated scheme involving stolen vehicles, fake sales agreements, and swapped Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).
By November 2024, police executed multiple search warrants, slapping Bocknek with 92 charges and Zeto with 84 charges. However, nearly 10 months after the high-profile arrests, the Crown abruptly withdrew all 176 charges, citing no reasonable prospect of conviction.
Fabricated Allegations and Ruined Lives
According to the lawsuit, the entire police probe was built on fabricated allegations provided by the dealership’s owner. The claim alleges that police failed to properly scrutinize the story before moving forward with aggressive arrests.
The two men describe harrowing experiences during their detentions:
- Bocknek was handcuffed at his dining room table in Barrie during his daughter’s sixth birthday party.
- Zeto was held for over 30 hours without explanation, while officers allegedly tore apart his Vaughan body shop, destroying years of documents and property.
Severe Financial and Professional Damage
Following the police press conference, both men had their Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) licenses revoked, effectively banning them from their careers.
The lawsuit states the public humiliation led to total financial ruin. Zeto reportedly lost his Mississauga home after two years without income, and both men watched their credit lines cancelled and credit scores crater.
The Demand for Justice
Bocknek is seeking over $4 million, while Zeto is demanding nearly $4.8 million, alongside an additional $1 million each in aggravated and punitive damages.
Despite multiple attempts by the men to have their official records amended, Toronto Police have reportedly remained silent. A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service declined to comment, noting that the matter is currently before the courts.
