Mark Sheridan Waden, 50, is facing trial in Brisbane Supreme Court accused of killing Priscilla Brooten and burying her body on his property before dumping it at a Brisbane rubbish tip almost a year later.
Ms Brooten, a 46-year-old US citizen and former beauty queen who was staying in Australia without a valid visa, vanished from the home she shared with Waden in Brisbane's northern suburbs in July 2018.
Her body has never been found.
Jurors on Wednesday were shown a video of Waden's nearly two-hour interview with detectives in June 2019.
Waden told police he made up stories about what happened to Ms Brooten when her friends at the gym asked why she had not attended Zumba fitness classes.
"She left and I didn't want anything to do with her anymore and I wanted to show her in a bad light because of how I was treated," Waden said in the video.
Waden told police he lied multiple times to Ms Brooten's friends about his home being raided by Border Force and her either being deported or going on the run from immigration authorities.
"I was upset and angry with Priscilla and the relationship ended badly so I wanted to show her in a poor light," Waden said.
He said he had told Priscilla he would inform Border Force she had been staying in Australia for years without a visa.
"Did you call Border Force?" a detective asked.
"No, I threatened," Waden said.
Waden said he ended his relationship with Priscilla in June or July 2018 due to her emotional instability and concern about him possibly being charged for harbouring an illegal alien.
He claimed to have restrained her in bear hugs when she became "uncontrollable" during mood swings and she would repeatedly call him at work to "piss me off".
"She was using me to stay in Australia illegally. She was spending my money," Waden said.
"I found out about her different aliases. She was not a nice person."
The jury previously heard evidence from Ms Brooten's friend Vicki Le, who testified Waden told her his girlfriend had left him after an incident involving her debts.
"He said there was an incident where nasty people were after her and she took off. She owed them money and owed him money," Ms Le said.
Waden said he had told different stories about Ms Brooten's departure because he felt "hurt" by her.
"She was getting income online from what I understand from some illegal or dodgy internet thing," Waden said.
At the end of the interview, detectives told Waden he was under arrest for the murder of Ms Brooten.
"I didn't do it," he said.
Waden was later released without charge and arrested again days later.
The trial continues.
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