Crown casino sting on ex-Tiger Jake King led to him being charged
FORMER AFL star Jake King was secretly recorded in a Crown casino sting, which led to him being charged for extortion and making threats to kill and inflict serious injury.
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A CROWN casino sting led to former AFL star Jake King being charged for extortion and making threats to kill and inflict serious injury.
King was secretly recorded during a “showdown” in Crown’s front lobby with the business partner of Hawthorn player Ty Vickery over a $150,000 debt, sources say.
King met with Tony Mokdissi in a bid to retrieve the cash it is claimed was “skimmed” from the Hawthorn East restaurant Fat Monkey, which Mr Mokdissi ran with Vickery.
But as King “lost his temper”, the exchange was secretly captured on an audio recording.
King’s bungled strongarm attempt was even interrupted by autograph hunters, it can be revealed.
Vickery and childhood friend King were arrested on July 5, over extortion claims.
JAKE KING AND TYRONE VICKERY UNDER POLICE INVESTIGATION
Friends of Vickery have told the Herald Sun that he never asked King to recover the alleged debt.
Vickery’s lawyers want to sue Mr Mokdissi over his alleged debt, but they have not been able to track the elusive businessman down.
The Herald Sun can also reveal that police who raided King’s City of Ink tattoo shop on July 5 were searching for a weapon believed to have been referred to in the casino showdown, but nothing was found.
King, 33, now hopes charges against him will be downgraded. The meeting at Crown followed two phone calls between King and Mr Mokdissi, after the ex-Tiger became aware of the alleged debt to his mate.
Mr Mokdissi is claimed to have failed to “come good” on repeated promises to pay back money owed to Vickery.
It has been alleged that Mr Mokdissi used about $180,000 from the pair’s account at the Fat Monkey restaurant on various expenses including three racehorses, cash advances to gamble at the casino and a Louis Vuitton bag. Mr Mokdissi returned about $30,000 into the account after Vickery became aware the money was missing, it is claimed.
While it is understood King admits he “lost his temper” at Crown, he strongly disputes the charge of extortion. King was also charged with making threats to kill, two counts of threats to inflict serious injury and two counts of using a carriage service to harass. Vickery was released without charge.
John Gdanski, who represents King, said: “In light of the lack of credibility of the main witness we would be hoping the charges (against King) would be downgraded as clearly there is no substance.”
It can also be revealed Racing Victoria is investigating the ownership of the racehorses.
King is scheduled to next appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 15.