Former Wests Tigers NRL player Tim Simona exploited the name of the Camp Quality children's charity because it was well known and helped him raise more money to fund his gambling addiction, court documents state.
Simona's lawyer on Tuesday indicated the 25-year-old planned to plead guilty to fraud over the sale of signed jerseys which were supposedly auctioned for the charity.
The New Zealand-born centre has been charged with dishonestly obtaining A$6600 (NZ$7100) from the auction of Tigers club jerseys, boots and training items, according to documents before Campbelltown Local Court.
Police allege there were at least 12 sales over three years with each netting A$550 (NZ$600) on average.
"He stated that he used the Camp Quality brand due to it being identifiable for people and thought it may help him raise more money," the documents state.
Police allege Simona purchased jerseys from the club and left them in dressing rooms for team-mates to sign.
He'd then auction the items on his Facebook page telling prospective buyers the proceeds were going to children's charity Camp Quality.
The money was often sent to a personal bank account or Simona would collect cash himself.
Simona once drove to pick up A$600 (NZ$650) for a jersey only to lose the cash on electronic gambling machines at a nearby hotel, the documents state.
He did not have any authorisation to raise money for Camp Quality.
Simona's lawyer sought an adjournment on Tuesday so his client could attend a gambling program.
He was deregistered from the NRL in March after admitting to placing bets on more than 60 games in 2016.
Simona has since revealed he had a cocaine addiction which developed during his time at the NRL club.
Simona in March this year donated A$5000 (NZ$5400) to the charity due to his "embarrassment and remorse".
The 25-year-old is scheduled to reappear at Campbelltown Local Court on July 11.
Photo By: GETTY IMAGES (Tim Simona plans to plead guilty to fraud over the sale of signed jerseys supposedly for a children's charity).