Wakefield Trinity have announced that David Fifita will remain in Australia until Christmas after his wife was jailed for fraudulently claiming $50,000 in single-parent payments.
The club have this evening issued their full support to the star forward after his wife, Jade Fifita, was sentenced to eight months in prison for fraudulently claiming $50,000 in single-parent Centrelink payments.
Having pleaded guilty in June to two counts of receiving financial advantage from a commonwealth entity over five years, Magistrate Jennifer Price today sentenced the 26-year-old at Gosford Local Court.
However, she may avoid jail time after Ms Price adjourned the case until January so the mother-of-three can be assessed for home detention.
Documents revealed that Jade Fifita was in a relationship with partner David prior to receiving single-parent payments, the first of which was in September 2011, while she also lied about their wedding date.
The wife of former @NRL player @david_krew Fifita has been sentenced to 8 months in jail fraudulently claiming almost $50,000 in single-parent @Centrelink payments. NSW magistrate has allowed her to be assessed for home detention. https://t.co/aupnAKlRPq #JadeRobinson #7News pic.twitter.com/WGwZ41KA87
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) November 17, 2017
Papers showed that payments were received up until May 2016, with Ms Price stating that Jade was obsessed by keeping up with others in social activities, with the extra money allowing her to maintain an outward appearance of success.
Fifita given time away
Following today's news, Wakefield Trinity have this evening stated that they will fully support their player and his family during this difficult time.
Speaking to the club website, Wakefield chairman, Michael Carter, said: “Having spoken with David and Chris (Chester) we have decided to allow David to remain in Australia until Christmas to provide the support his family needs.
“David will continue his pre season in Australia and will return to the UK between Christmas and New Year to prepare for a big season coming up in 2018.”
Fifita joined Trinity in June 2016 after gaining a release from the Cronulla Sharks, where he played alongside his brother Andrew for over two years.
Known for his powerful running game, the 28-year-old has previously appeared for the NRL's Indigenous All Stars and has represented Tonga on three separate occasions.
During his 18 months with Trinity, Fifita has quickly become a fan favourite and he played in major part in helping the club surprisingly finish fifth in Super League last season.
However, his future at the West Yorkshire outfit could now be in doubt with his wife’s case for 'misrepresenting her true circumstances' due back in court on January 25 next year.
