An arrest warrant has been issued for a high-profile former AFL agent and Melbourne identity after he failed to appear on fraud charges.
Ricky Nixon, 60, was due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, but by 3.15pm he had not appeared or contacted the court to explain his absence.
Mr Nixon was charged with 10 offences in November last year, following a police investigation into the alleged sale of fraudulent commemorative merchandise.
The alleged fraud related to 10 footballs supposedly signed by members of the Melbourne Demons following their historic premiership win, the Herald Sun reported.
It’s alleged that Mr Nixon sold the fake footballs for $575 plus $20 postage with the proceeds promised to a children’s charity.
Ricky Nixon, 60, was due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, but by 3.15pm he had not appeared or contacted the court to explain his absence.
However suspicions were raised when Charlie Spargo’s signature, who wears number nine, was written next to the number eight.
In court, Magistrate James Henderson said Mr Nixon had been issued a summons to appear on the ‘serious charges’.
‘Having failed to appear by 3.15pm, I’m minded to issue a warrant,’ he said.
Police will now seek to bring Mr Nixon before the court as soon as possible.
Mr Nixon had previously told Sam Newman’s podcast he was not to blame.
It’s alleged that Mr Nixon sold the fake footballs for $575 plus $20 postage with the proceeds promised to a children’s charity.
‘To my surprise and total shock three of the balls were fake,’ Mr Nixon said in the podcast.
‘I have since found out second and third hand that someone purporting to work for an AFL licensee and who may be an ice addict forged those balls and I am the person copping the blame for it.
‘I am the one who’s been stooged – not the other way around.’
A former player in the Victorian Football League and Australian Football League, Mr Nixon used his position in the sport to pursue a career as a sports agent.
Through his company Flying Start, he rose to become a powerful figure in the AFL before he was suspended in 2011.
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