Fourth man charged in Tandy betting scandal
RYAN Tandy's former real estate agent yesterday became the latest man to be charged with match-fixing in relation to last year's Bulldogs-Cowboys NRL clash.
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RYAN Tandy's former real estate agent yesterday became the latest man to be charged with match-fixing in relation to last year's Bulldogs-Cowboys NRL clash.
Eastern Suburbs property manager Greg Tait faces two counts of attempting to dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception - the same charge his ex-tennant Tandy will answer when he appears in court next month.
The former Bulldogs prop rented a Bronte flat through Tait's agency, Laing & Simmons Coogee-Clovelly, over the summer before moving out in March.
Police will allege that Tait also arranged for a woman in New Zealand, who was captured on CCTV pushing a pram into a Browns Bay TAB outlet, to place bets on his behalf. Tait
declined to comment when contacted last night, but The Daily Telegraph understands he was informed of the impending charges on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old attended Maroubra police station with his lawyer at 1pm yesterday.
Tait was charged after being questioned by detectives belonging to Strike Force Suburb - the State Crime Command's unit that has been formed to examine allegations of illegal betting activity.
He was released on conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on August 25.
The same court will hear Tandy's case late next month.
The 29-year-old prop has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which also include four counts of lying to the investigation.
Tandy was charged earlier this year after being at the centre of suspicions surrounding the plunge on North Queensland to open the scoring with a penalty goal.
Tandy conceded possession and then a penalty in the opening minutes, but instead the Cowboys took a quick tap and opened the scoring with a try.
Tandy denied any wrongdoing, but was nevertheless sacked by Canterbury. He is now suing the Belmore club for unfair dismissal.
Footage of the pram-pushing New Zealand woman was released in March, shortly before detectives crossed the Tasman to interview the woman earlier this year.
It was alleged that she attempted to place a $4000 bet on the Cowboys' penalty goal, but was denied and had to settle for a $300 wager.
Player agent Sam Ayoub and former league star John Elias have also been charged in relation to the case. Both have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Detective Superintendent Ken Finch last night warned of more possible arrests as Strike Force Suburb continues its investigations.
"The detectives working on the case do not intend to leave a stone unturned in their search for answers," he said.
Ironically, tomorrow night's Bulldogs-Cowboys clash at ANZ Stadium is the first meeting between the two teams since the game that gave birth to the NRL's biggest scandal of the year.