CONTROVERSIAL gambler and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson has confirmed he borrowed almost $1 million from retired Knights forward Luke Davico, but says he repaid the debt.
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Two years ago Mr Davico, the former Canberra and Newcastle prop who played in 194 NRL games, sued Mr Hayson in the NSW Supreme Court to recover a $920,00 loan plus interest, which was allegedly borrowed several years earlier.
At the time the former Knights hard-man claimed Mr Hayson “refused” to repay the debt and produced cheques for $150,000 and $200,000, which both bounced.
Mr Hayson’s legal defence denied that he failed to repay any money, agreed to pay interest or ever admitted to owing money to Mr Davico.
But the issue was revisited on a very public stage on Thursday during Mr Hayson's press conference in Sydney, at which he denied any involvement in “fixing” rugby league matches.
Asked about a $1 million debt to 43-year-old Mr Davico, Mr Hayson replied: "That's correct, yeah ... I've paid him back, the whole amount.''
Pressed further on how he had raised the funds, Mr Hayson said he was "not prepared to say" before explaining: "I've had a bit of luck in the last few months gambling, the last six months, so I'll leave it at that.''
Mr Hayson said there were "not many" people he owed money, but former world champion boxer Jeff Fenech was one creditor.
During the press conference, called by Mr Hayson to respond to “match-fixing rumours”, he also admitted he gave $60,000 to former Comanchero bikie chief Mark Buddle.
In January Mr Buddle plead guilty in Newcastle Local Court to failing to declare $60,120 in cash found stuffed between swimmers, towels and bags on a private charter plane New Caledonia.
Mr Buddle had been travelling with his long-time girlfriend on July 28 last year when the flight was stopped at Newcastle Airport. At the time he told police Mr Hayson had given him the money as a gift.
Mr Hayson confirmed he had given him the money. When asked why he said: “because I like him”.
“He’s a friend, I like him and I respect him and that’s what happened,” he said.
He said it was “probably” his fault that Mr Buddle had been arrested, but was “not prepared to say” why he was friends with Mr Buddle.
Mr Davico could not be reached for comment.
Mr Davico retired from playing in 2007 and soon after bought popular Darby Street cafe Goldbergs.
He later joined forces with Newcastle Jets veteran Michael Bridges to open a nearby tapas bar, Divinos, which has since become Five Sawyers.
Mr Hayson is a well-known friend of Mr Davico's former Newcastle teammate, Andrew Johns, and in 2006 won an estimated $2 million in a round-four game between the Knights and the Warriors.
Aware that Mr Johns would withdraw from the match with injury, Mr Hayson plunged on the Warriors before the news broke.
At his press conference on Thursday, he denied any "inside knowledge", saying a friend had informed him.
"It wasn't inside information,'' he said. "I found out before the bookies found out that he wasn't playing.
"It was just good luck.''
