Police investigate Wayne Carey ‘white powder’ incident in WA casino
The AFL great faces investigation over reports he was ejected from a casino after a bag of white powder fell from his pocket.
Ex-AFL player Wayne Carey will face a police investigation over reports he was ejected from a casino after a bag of white powder fell from his pocket.
A WA Police spokesman said the incident at Crown Casino in Perth last Thursday would be investigated.
“The matter was not reported to police at the time, and the suspicious powder was not seized by security,” the spokesman said. “An investigation into the incident has been commenced by Perth detectives.”
The news came after Carey’s Los Angeles based actor and producer ex-girlfriend Kate Neilson said her former partner — who was accused of breaking a wine glass over her face in 2007 and was arrested for it in Miami — continued to hold prominent media roles despite facing assault allegations and cheating scandals because of his talent and knowledge of the league.
“I think he continues to have a role in the media despite all the scandals because he was an extremely talented AFL player, one of the greatest ever and he has a wide knowledge of the game, especially commentating, so fans look up to him at some point because of this,” she said.
“Am I saying this is right, no. But it’s the only conclusion I can come up with considering his past.”
Ms Neilson said the seven-time All Australian may face difficulty securing future public facing roles after a bag of white powder fell out of his pocket at the Crown casino in Perth last Thursday, prompting Triple M and Seven to stand him down from commentating pending investigations.
“I think it’s going to be hard to make a comeback after so many chances, but I wish him all the best. If anyone can do it, it’s him. Only time will tell,” she said.
“I also think networks will reassess their choices moving forward.”
Over the past two decades, the former North Melbourne captain has faced a series of public scandals.
In 1996 when he was charged with indecent assault for allegedly grabbing a woman’s breast. In 2002 he was caught having an affair with North Melbourne teammate Anthony Stevens’ wife.
In 2008 police deployed capsicum spray to subdue him after he assaulted them and in 2012 traces of cocaine were found on him at a scanning test for entry to a maximum security jail.
A spokeswoman for Triple M said they had no further update to share on the matter on Tuesday, after they announced on Monday the former North Melbourne captain would step down from his on-air duties.
The Age, which publishes a column by Carey, did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday after editor Gay Alcorn said on Monday she was “aware of the story and would look into the matter”.
A Seven spokesman did not respond to a request for comment after they said an internal investigation would be launched on Monday, and that Carey had stepped down.
The Herald Sun reported a bag of white powder fell out of Carey’s pocket at the Crown casino in Perth on Thursday, where he was commentating on the Fremantle v Western Bulldogs final on Saturday.
He was asked to leave the complex, and slapped with a two-year ban from entering any Australian Crown casino the Herald Sun said.
On Monday, Carey said the white powder was “crushed up anti-inflammatory drugs” for pain.
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