Australian Test cricket captain Tim Paine embroiled in sexting scandal
The woman at the centre of the Tim Paine sexting scandal also received lewd messages from another Cricket Tasmania staffer, with his contract secretly terminated, it can be revealed. LATEST >>
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THE Cricket Tasmania investigation that cleared fallen Australian Test skipper Tim Paine claimed the scalp of a Cricket Tasmania colleague.
The Sunday Tasmanian can reveal another male employee, who worked in the cricket department, was investigated for also sexting the same woman at the centre of the Paine scandal.
However, CT’s 2018 investigations found the actions of this former employee – also a former first class player with Tasmania – were much worse than Paine’s and he had his contract secretly terminated under a confidentiality agreement signed by both parties.
A CT spokesperson said the governing body would not comment on any employee relations of past or present staff.
CT was then under the direction of chief executive Nick Cummins, who is now Cricket Victoria’s chief executive.
Cummins also declined to comment when contacted.
CT said the recipient of the lewd messages and images lodged a complaint only once formal charges of theft were laid in 2018.
Its own investigation found the messages between Paine and the woman were consensual and did not take any further action.
The woman has stated the texts and image from Paine were unsolicited and denies the theft charges that are currently being dealt with by the Tasmanian judicial system.
CT boss reveals criminal charges against Paine accuser
Cricket Tasmania has revealed the allegations raised against Tim Paine by a former employee were only brought to their attention when formal charges of theft were laid against her in mid-2018.
Paine announced on Friday afternoon he was stepping down as Australia’s Test captain after being investigated by Cricket Australia for reportedly sending a female co-worker an explicit photo and a string of lewd messages.
Cricket Tasmania Chairman Andrew Gaggin said there was no complaint raised at the time of the incident in November 2017, nor when the employee’s position with the organisation was terminated.
“As soon as Cricket Tasmania was made aware, it undertook an investigation that determined the interaction was consensual, private, occurred on the one occasion only, was between mature adults and was not repeated,” he said.
“Cricket Tasmania clearly does not condone this type of behaviour and addressed the matter directly with Tim Paine.
“However, because of the consensual nature of the actions it was determined that no further action was required or appropriate.”
Mr Gaggin said criminal charges against the former employee were still pending and it was inappropriate to comment further given the matter was still before the courts.
Paine ‘deeply sorry’
AUSTRALIAN cricket captain Tim Paine has announced he is stepping down, effectively immediately.
A tearful Paine fronted the cameras at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Friday afternoon to make the bombshell announcement.
He said it was a difficult decision but the right one to make.
Paine said it related to a text message exchange nearly four years ago.
He said a Cricket Australia investigation exonerated him.
“I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public,” he said.
Paine said on reflection, his actions did not meet the standards of an Australian captain.
“I am deeply sorry for the hurt and pain I have caused to my wife, family and the other party,” he said.
“I believe it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately.”
Paine apologised to fans and his family, and said it broke his heart how it affected his family.
Paine said he would remain a committed member of the Australian cricket team and would look forward to the upcoming Ashes series.
Paine did not take questions and fought back tears on many occasions during his short statement.
TIM PAINE’S FULL STATEMENT:
I’m just going to make a brief statement. I won’t be taking any questions today.
Today, I’m announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men’s test team. It’s an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket.
As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague.
At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in.
That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct.
Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today.
I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support.
We thought this incident was behind us and that I could focus entirely on the team, as I have done for the last three or four years. However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public.
On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community.
I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and to the other party.
I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport.
And I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately.
I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes Series.
I have loved my role as captain of the Australian cricket team.
It’s been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men’s test team.
I’m grateful for the support of my teammates and proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.
To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans — deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes.
For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family, and it breaks my heart to know how much I’ve let them down.
They have always stood by me, been my most loyal fans, and I’m indebted to them for their support.
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