FALLEN star Tim Simona has been outed for his illegal gambling on NRL matches, his cocaine drug addiction and the fact he ripped off money from charities.
But at the centre of it all was his relationship with one-time girlfriend Jaya Taki.
The tumultuous relationship came to a head when Taki blew the whistle on Simona’s match betting.
Below, Simona details the relationship with Taki that began several months before he began betting on NRL matches.
THE FULL INTERVIEW: TIM SIMONA TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO PHIL ROTHFIELD ABOUT SEX, DRUGS, GAMBLING AND RIPPING-OFF CHARITIES
THE ABORTION
Simona said Ms Taki fell pregnant but agreed to have an abortion in April last year.
Unlike the Bryce Cartwright story from last Sunday, there was no cash settlement or legal row.
“It was obviously a difficult time,” Simona said.
“I think she got emotionally hurt by that. It’s a bit sad to get rid of a baby, but it was like three weeks or four weeks old or something like that.”
He admits he encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy.
“If you want the truth, yes, I told her she should have an abortion.
“I think she wanted the baby but I told her I wouldn’t be there to support them.
“I’d never dealt with anything like this before.”
Later they even discussed the abortion during one of their betting sprees in Taki’s account.
Before the Wests Tigers played the Rabbitohs in April, Taki text messaged Simona.
Taki: “Yayyyy you got $29.75 back from Medicare for the ultrasound.”
Simona: “F… that put that on me for first try-scorer.”
Taki: “Better bloody get it. Paying $20.”
THE THREATS
The text message records show Simona made threats after Ms Taki handed her phone over to the integrity unit.
She has not been to the police.
The Sunday Telegraph has seen more of their text message exchanges.
Simona: “If I lose my job shit gonna hit the fan. Hope you’re happy with your decision.”
Ms Taki: “No it won’t. You can’t do anything to me.”
Simona: “Lol watch.”
Ms Taki: “They told me to tell them if you threaten me.”
Simona: “Good screen shot and show them.”
In one exchange Simona said: “If you tell me I’m lying again I will f... you up next time I see you c....”
Simona: “F... up c... or you will see what happens dickhead.”
In another exchange, Simona texts: “Don’t f..king text me back I’m over your bullshit. Later”
GETTING CAUGHT
The NRL became suspicious last year when Simona and Ms Taki ended their relationship.
Ms Taki posting on Facebook: “So here I go again, having to teach you a lesson. Tim Simona if you ever f… with me this is what happens. Betting on your own games, cocaine, abortions and cheating! This is the person little kids are meant to look up to?? I’ve had enough of this shit.”
She also attached screenshots of his bets and a picture of a line of coke.
Ms Taki later panicked and deleted the message.
But not before it came to the attention of Wests Tigers officials who reported it to the NRL.
Integrity unit chief investigator Karyn Murphy contacted Ms Taki and summonsed Simona to appear before the NRL.
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained Ms Taki’s panicking text messages to Simona on August 6 when she was contacted by the NRL.
“You need to call me.”
“Delete absolutely everything off your phone.”
“Call me now babe, right now.”
“I’ve had to shut down my Sportsbet account.”
Simona has now admitted he lied to the integrity unit.
At that stage the NRL had no evidence because Ms Taki hadn’t handed over her mobile phone or agreed to be interviewed.
He continued playing for the Wests Tigers but the scare was at least enough to stop him from gambling on games.
In November, Ms Taki - now Simona’s ex-girlfriend met with the integrity unit and handed over her mobile phone with all the messages and proof of the betting.
The NRL obtained the betting records from their major sponsor Sportsbet and this time they had all the evidence to throw Simona out of the game.
THE VICIOUS FALLOUT
On February 7 this year, Ms Taki sent the following text messages to Simona.
At 9.05am: “Hey, I didn’t see them (integrity unit) yesterday cos I had to work in the end but last chance now, put the money I want or get my boobs done and then I’ll block them. Otherwise I’ll see them next week.”
At 5.10pm: “Still ignoring me. Haven’t you learnt that ignoring me doesn’t work? And makes me angrier. Haven’t you learnt that I always come through with my threats. You are so stupid it hurts my brain.
“You are blocked so you can’t reply. You have had hundreds of chances. It’s over now. No more lying for you. Payback for the bullshit.”
And this text message exchange on another day:
Ms Taki: “Feel free to give me 10k then I won’t tell.”
Simona: “You say some hurtful things. Can you stick to not messaging me.”
Ms Taki: “For 10k for sure.”
Ms Taki again: “Last chance Tim. You gonna give me money or I’ll call Moe. Now. Got 5 mins or I’m calling. If you can threaten me I’ll be ruthless.”
Simona said their relationship ended abruptly when he started seeing another woman.
“She must have heard that I was seeing someone else and you know, she’s like “how could you do that to me? I’m going to get that story out,” he said.
“That when I decided not to speak to her again and then she got hurt.”
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