Former NRL player Tim Simona charged over allegedly defrauding charities
Tim Simona has been charged by police. (AAP)
Former NRL player Tim Simona has been charged by police after he allegedly defrauded charities by not passing on the proceeds of autographed jerseys.
The banned ex-Wests Tigers player, 25, was arrested by detectives from the Organised Crime Squad in Macquarie Fields just before 8am today.
He was taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station and charged with obtaining benefit by deception.
Simona was granted bail and will face Campbelltown Local Court on April 18.
Simona was deregistered by the NRL earlier this month after it was revealed he had placed bets on matches.
He was also accused of claiming for himself the profits of autographed jerseys that had been auctioned for charity.
Simona later admitted he had developed a drug addiction while playing and had made the bets to fund his habit.
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