Hayne's night out: Alleged bikie's lawyer says they're mates
JARRYD Hayne has been caught on video appearing to give an accused Hells Angels bikie enforcer a $5000 wad of cash.
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UPDATE: THE lawyer representing alleged bikie Chris Bloomfield says his client told him he was "mates" with Jarryd Hayne - although he denied there was anything sinister going on in a video where he waived a $5000 wad of cash at a camera.
The statement, which was made to Fairfax media by Brisbane lawyer Adam Magill, stands in contrast to a Facebook post from Hayne last night.
"[Bloomfield] told me they knew each other and were mates. They were celebrating. He was only joking around. There was nothing evil or sinister," Mr Magill said.
However Hayne categorically contradicted that version of events on Facebook in a lengthy statement he posted last night.
"In regard to a video circulated that features me in it, I want to state the following: I categorically deny any previous affiliation with Chris Bloomfield," Hayne wrote.
"I had never previously met Chris Bloomfield, who I understand is a former Titans udner-20s player, before Saturday, although we have mutual friends "
The one-time NFL star said the incident would change the way he dealt with people when he was out, in the future.
YESTERDAY: NRL Titans recruit and former NFL star Jaryd Hayne has denied any links to an alleged bikie after footage emerged of him handing over $5000 of cash.
Hayne is now under investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit, which is looking at his connection to known an accused criminals.
The footage appears to show Hayne delivering $5000 in case to former Titans under-20 player Chris Bloomfield, a man now alleged to be an enforcer for the Hells Angels bikies.
In a statement Hayne denies "any previous affiliation" with Bloomfield, though admits they share mutual friends.
He said he was not aware of Bloomfield's criminal history or associations, and had not met him before the weekend.
Hayne also claims the money he gave Bloomfield was not his own, and "was a prank initiated by Bloomfield".
The League star says the story has been "blown out of proportion", but has reminded him how careful he must be when meeting strangers.
Read the full statement below:
In regard to a video circulated that features me in it, I want to state the following:
- I categorically deny any previous affiliation with Chris Bloomfield.
- I had never previously met Chris Bloomfield, who I understand is a former Titans udner-20s player, before Saturday, although we have mutual friends .
Over the weekend I was out with a group of players and friends for some end of footy season drinks.
There were some people there that I knew and some people there I didn't know, including Chris Bloomfield who I met for the first time.
As any human would do, I said hello to those I came into contact with and was friendly as normal.
I understand Bloomfield filmed a few short Snapchat videos of me rapping to an Eminem song.
At the time, I was not aware of this person's history with the law and alleged bikie affiliations.
I also want to make it very clear that a comment in the video which suggested I supplied Chris with a large sum of money is not true. This money was not mine.
This was a prank initiated by Bloomfield and was not intended to be taken seriously.
It was also not my voice shouting for a cigarette and I was not involved with any of the offensive comments subsequently added to this video."
To help put this situation into perspective, it's important to realise that I come into contact with thousands of people during the course of a year.
When I meet people in social settings, I try not to judge them by the way they look and it's impossible for me to ask every person about their criminal records or bikie affiliations.
I grew up being taught to always be polite and respectful to all people and I take my responsibility as a role model very seriously.
For me, that means trying my best to not offend people and not taking part in any illegal activity.
However, I cannot help how people approach or film me.
It's unfortunate this story has been blown out of proportion and if nothing else, it has reminded me of the extraordinary power of social media and how careful I need to be with people I randomly meet.
Hayne's manager responds: 'The money's not his'
JARRYD Hayne has been caught on video appearing to give an accused Hells Angels bikie enforcer a $5000 wad of cash.
The Daily Telegraph has obtained footage of the Titans star joy-riding around the Gold Coast with bikie and former Titans under-20 player Chris Bloomfield after his side's loss to Brisbane on Friday night.
Hayne is now under investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit which has said it will look into his association with known and accused criminals.
However, Hayne's longtime friend and manager Wayne Beavis has responded to the footage on behalf of the star, casting doubts on any inferences people were drawing from the footage.
"I've spoken to Jarryd and he said 'it was just beers with the boys'," Beavis told The Daily Telegraph today.
"The money's not his, he would never be walking around with five grand in his pocket.
"He says he doesn't even know the bloke. They aren't even mates. He just happened to be there."
"Haynesy just gave me five grand," the alleged bikie standover man says grinning to the camera while holding up a giant wad of cash.
Hayne responds by shrugging his shoulders and saying: "Cash money fam, cash money. Give me a f ... ing cigarette."
Former Titans player Nene Macdonald is also under investigation after The Daily Telegraph obtained a photo of him with the same alleged bikie enforcer on Instagram.
. @GCTitans statement RE: snapchat videos featuring Jarryd Hayne and Nene Macdonald. #NRL #TenNews pic.twitter.com/2YfDX11SVi
— Veronica Eggleton (@veggleton) September 12, 2016
NRL sources confirmed Hayne has been previously warned by the Integrity Unit about associating with known and accused criminals.
A quick chat with @JarrydHayne as he heads into the sheds at HT.#NRLBroncosTitans #NRLFinals pic.twitter.com/TGwn6vPTj7
— NRL (@NRL) September 9, 2016
Originally published as Hayne's night out: Alleged bikie's lawyer says they're mates