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SENIOR Melbourne Storm executives and even players could suffer serious legal consequences for the club's act of keeping two sets of financial records, an academic says.
In rorting the NRL salary cap by at least $1.7 million over five years, the Storm maintained a dual contract system, with side letters promising extra payments stored in a secret file.
NRL chief executive David Gallop warned there would be legal implications for those involved and the club's owner, News Limited, is to refer the matter to police.
Chair of Commercial Law at Melbourne University Ian Ramsay said those involved could face criminal charges under the Crimes Act's provisions on falsification of documents and false accounting.
Another provision under the Act could also mean Melbourne Storm players will face legal consequences for aiding and abetting.
"You may not be an active part, but if you aid or abet someone to commit an offence then you could also be liable for that particular offence," Professor Ramsay said.
Civil penalties are also a possibility for the executives behind the rorting under the Corporations Act.
In rorting the NRL salary cap by at least $1.7 million over five years, the Storm maintained a dual contract system, with side letters promising extra payments stored in a secret file.
NRL chief executive David Gallop warned there would be legal implications for those involved and the club's owner, News Limited, is to refer the matter to police.
Chair of Commercial Law at Melbourne University Ian Ramsay said those involved could face criminal charges under the Crimes Act's provisions on falsification of documents and false accounting.
Another provision under the Act could also mean Melbourne Storm players will face legal consequences for aiding and abetting.
"You may not be an active part, but if you aid or abet someone to commit an offence then you could also be liable for that particular offence," Professor Ramsay said.
Civil penalties are also a possibility for the executives behind the rorting under the Corporations Act.
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