Notorious gambling figure Eddie Hayson has claimed that a $2000 cash deposit he made into the betting account of News Corp journalist Phil "Buzz" Rothfield was for NRL tickets.
This version conflicts with the account provided to Fairfax Media by Rothfield, the sports editor-at-large at The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph.
Rothfield said the money was from shared winning bets he had with Mr Hayson.
A Fairfax Media investigation has revealed that Mr Hayson, a big-time punter who has been banned from Star Casino and the TAB, has made multiple cash deposits into the TAB account of the veteran journalist.
According to the TAB's terms and conditions, only the account holder is allowed to use the account to bet.
"We take breaches of the use of our accounts very seriously and take action on such accounts where required," a Tabcorp spokesman said yesterday, adding that Rothfield's contractual arrangements with Tabcorp's affiliate Sky Sports Radio were being reviewed.
In a memo sent out to News Corp staff on Friday, Michael Miller, the company's executive chairman, assured staff that allegations levelled at our "respected colleague Buzz Rothfield" would be investigated.
"Without any prejudgement, we should remind ourselves that our conduct policies are in place to protect you and your journalism and are an important part of our commitment to great reporting and news coverage."
News Corp declined to provide details on the nature of the investigation and who would be conducting the inquiry.
Those and other cash payments made into the betting accounts of Mr Hayson's associates are now under investigation by law enforcement authorities.
In an angry call to Fairfax Media on Friday, Mr Hayson claimed the cash deposit he made into Rothfield's TAB account was a reimbursement for tickets Rothfield had obtained from the NRL and then provided to Mr Hayson.
When it was pointed out to Mr Hayson that he had made the $2000 cash payment to Rothfield in December last year, which was during the off-season for rugby league, Mr Hayson claimed that the repayment was for "five or six tickets" he had received from Rothfield over the years.
Mr Hayson said the tickets were for grand finals and State of Origin matches and that he was merely repaying his mate.
"He [Rothfield] can produce the receipts for you," he claimed.
Over the years Rothfield has written a string of positive stories about the often controversial antics of Mr Hayson without disclosing his financial dealings with the controversial gambler who has close ties to a number of well-known rugby league figures.
The veteran journalist told Fairfax Media there was nothing untoward about his dealings with Mr Hayson. "I've known him for 10 years and we are mates, and mates always have a punt together."
In 2014, Mr Hayson lost control of the brothel Stiletto and declared himself insolvent with debts of $52 million. He currently owes millions of dollars to a raft of characters including drug dealers, footballers, jockeys, boxers, family, friends and a convicted murderer.
Meanwhile, doubt hangs over Rothfield's planned "scoop" – a much sought after interview with troubled league star Kieran Foran, who sensationally walked away from his $5 million contract with Parramatta Eels earlier this month.
Mr Hayson, who appears to be acting as Foran's de facto manager, organised and attended Thursday's interview, which was conducted by Rothfield in a Fox Sports studio.
In June Mr Hayson angrily denied widespread rumours that he was behind Foran's widely reported $75,000 gambling spree.
Mr Hayson met Foran in Brisbane on May 20, the day after Foran's TAB account was allegedly used for the massive betting spree.
Rothfield's exclusive television and print interviews with Foran are scheduled to run on Sunday. Fox executives Gary Burns and Steve Crawley did not return Fairfax Media's calls.