Top secret investigation into senior police officers’ alleged Sydney brothel visit

Hayson’s press conference was held to deny allegations that he had been involved in rugby league match-fixing. He agreed at his press conference that he’d provided free sex for footballers and jockeys, but he denied that he expected anything in return.

“That is how I was promoting my business,” Hayson said. “Word of mouth is a very powerful tool.”

Hayson was never charged with match-fixing and there have been no findings against him.

In 2006, Hayson and fellow punter Steve Fletcher won an estimated $2 million on a betting plunge after allegedly receiving inside information that then Newcastle Knights star Andrew Johns would not be playing due to injury.

At the time, Hayson owned racehorses with Johns and his brother, Matthew. A subsequent investigation by the NRL found nothing amiss and no criminal charges were laid.

In 2016, Strike Force Nuralda was established to investigate allegations of match-fixing in the NRL.

The following year, the strike force announced it had not found any organised match-fixing and no wrongdoing was found against Hayson. But footballers were found to be betting on games in which they played.

In February 2024, Hayson was arrested on the Gold Coast. Police have alleged that on August 10, 2023, Hayson was involved in the planning and transportation of 16 kilograms of methylamphetamine and five kilograms of MDMA from Sydney to Perth via a private plane. The drugs, which had a street value of $5 million, were later seized in Perth.

His matter is due to return to court for mention on April 3.

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