POS named in Storm rorts

[Guest]

Named in deloittes report as one of 5 people involved in rorting the salary cap.

[Pass the Ball]

One of five...

Surely there are others apart from:

POS
Slater
Smith
Inglis
Cronk....

I mean what about Waldron..???

[Guest]

One of five...

Surely there are others apart from:

POS
Slater
Smith
Inglis
Cronk....

I mean what about Waldron..???

The 5 named were

Waldron
Hansen
Gregory
O'Sullivan

and I have forgotten the last one

[Pass the Ball]

I was being facetious...

[elo]

His name is being dragged through the mud and yet there is no evidence to say he knew at all the 1 contract he signed was outside of the cap, even McCourt mentioned this during the Press Conference.

[fletch]

the problem with having O'Sullivan at the Roosters it now puts a huge target on our club from the auditors.

[Guest]

As long as there isnt a headline " O'Sullivan named in Rooster rorts, i couldnt give a flying fark.

[Guest]

I hope this club is a lot more honest than opposition fans think it is...

[Vasco]

I posted this in the Rugby League General Discussion section:

Let’s take a look at some of Hartigan’s (aka Ruperts “clean-up man”) comments:

• “He also took aim at Storm chairman Rob Moodie, branding his suggestions that Deloitte was doctoring its report to suit News Limited as "defamatory and patently absurd". Speaking outside News Limited's Surry Hills offices yesterday, Hartigan revealed the report would name players.”

• "Our job is about rebuilding the club so I want to make this club totally open, transparent and for them to be able to rebuild with the players and the best team we can get.

Deloitte doctoring it’s report!?!?!!?…that is a certainty!!!

Hartigan denying it and claiming it is “defamatory”!?!?!!?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….. I’m on the floor...

From that article it looks like Hartigan and News Ltd want to give the image that:

1. The Melbourne Storm were completely corrupt at the time and rorted the salary cap system.
2. Some of the directors and players were involved, but only the ones involved will be named today.
3. News Ltd had no knowledge of the rorts.
4. News Ltd has acted piously and justly when dealing with these rorts.
5. Showing to the public that News Ltd are a “moral and ethical” organisation and follow the processes of authority.

This is a massive “spin doctor” report…

At the press conference today:

"No evidence that the players were involved..."

“We are disappointed with these people who were involved...”

“RATS IN THE RANKS”

“I was never aware of any breach” (This is the CEO of News Ltd claiming this!)

“To the fans, we at News Ltd share your pain...”

The clean up man at work.

Rupert would be proud.

[sretsoor]

Nice post Vasco!

It's amusing watching News try an extract themselves from any involvement yet they are a key stakeholder in everything (NRL, Storm and Foxsports). It's so desperate lol

It's sickening that News has been psyhoning millions out of the NRL to fund the Storm. Now we know why.

[Vasco]

And the clincher...

“People have suggested that this report is crafted...”

I guess that is what the masses would be thinking. "Surely not...".

[BUDDY]

POS was implied when this first came out and he denied any knowledge.
His name was always going to come out in this report.
I can't wait for Brian Waldron to come out and tell all or will he be paid by News to STFU.

[Guest]

Melbourne Storm – Deloitte Investigation

July 15, 2010


News Limited today received a report of summary findings of the forensic investigation by independent accounting firm Deloitte into the salary cap breaches by the Melbourne Storm Rugby League Football Club.

As a result of Deloitte’s report, News Limited estimates that the total value of salary cap breaches by the club between 2006 and 2010 is up to $3.170 million, an approximate 83% increase on the original NRL estimate of $1.735 million.

This amount could be lower or higher because players, managers and other third parties opted not to provide information to Deloitte or News Limited during the investigation. However, News Limited believes it is most unlikely that the amount will be materially lower.

The breaches are significantly higher than first estimated by the NRL in each year between 2006–2010, including in 2007 and 2009 when the Melbourne Storm won the NRL Premiership.

The original estimated breach for the 2010 season by the NRL of $700,000 has blown out to a possible $1,027,968, an increase of 47%. This amount could be lower or higher if further information is provided.

The estimated likely excess of player financial commitments over the salary cap of $4.1million for 2011 is $1.325 million, and again, as not all parties have fully co-operated this number could be higher or lower.

Based on information available to it, Deloitte examined the club’s financial commitments to the proposed top 25 players to be paid for the 2011 season. Player commitments for 2011 are those required to be included in the club’s top 25 salary cap calculations under the NRL rules.


The Melbourne Storm has financial commitments in place with players for 2011 of possibly $5,425,188, which is $1,325,188 in excess of the salary cap of $4.1million. These calculations are based on work performed by Deloitte as at 4 June 2010.

Recent NRL Salary Cap Changes

On 22 June 2010, the NRL announced an increase in the salary cap of $100,000. If this change is taken into account, News Limited expects that the Melbourne Storm is forecast to be a possible $1,225,188 over the salary cap in 2011.


The 2007 and 2009 Premierships

There have been media reports that people associated with the club believe the NRL should reinstate the 2007 Premiership, based on a belief that the estimated breach of the salary cap in 2007 was about $273,000.



Those calling for the reinstatement of the 2007 Premiership have noted that the club’s salary cap breach in 2007 was similar to the breach by the club in 2003 of $261,912 and that the penalty for that breach was a fine of only $130,956.

Following the forensic investigation, it is News Limited’s view that the actual breach in 2007 was an estimated $551,032, 110% higher than the breach in 2003.


Similarly, News Limited now believes that the actual breach in 2009 when the Storm won the Premiership was an estimated $964,877, higher again than the breach in 2007.


Combined with the fact that the breaches occurred over 5 years, the findings made by Deloitte reinforce News Limited’s view that the penalties were appropriate.


NRL Contracts and “Side” Letters

In certain cases, the Storm appears to have maintained a dual contract system with formal contracts lodged with the NRL supplemented by “side” letters between the club and some players that guaranteed additional payments and benefits.



A file containing three “side” letters of offer to three players was obtained by News Limited from a file retained by the former acting CEO of the Storm Matt Hanson.



The “side” letters include amounts to be paid to the players that are well in excess of the amounts in the contracts for the same players that were lodged with the NRL.



The letters include guarantees of payments to the players via third parties. A guarantee of a payment to a player via a third party should be counted under the cap.



All three letters are signed by former Storm CEO Brian Waldron.



It has not been established whether the players who received these letters, were aware that the additional commitments in them were not disclosed by the club to the NRL nor if they contributed to the club breaching the cap.



It is not known if other players received or signed “side” letters offering them payments and benefits in excess of their formal NRL contracts.



NRL Contracts and Letters of Offer

Other additional payments were discovered by comparing letters of offer provided to certain players with the formal contracts of these players that were lodged with the NRL.

Methods of Payment

Based on the forensic investigation, News Limited believes that many of the additional payments and benefits to players were either not disclosed or were recorded but not accurately described in the club’s books and records.


The main method of payment involved the club arranging for third parties to “employ” and/or pay players. The third parties issued invoices to the club for amounts described as “donations” or “consulting fees”. The club paid the invoices and they were recorded in the accounts as “donations” or “consulting fees” and not as payments to players.


Other methods and structures that have been identified included:



- Guaranteeing the value of third party agreements, where these could not be sourced for a player by the club;



- The provision by sponsors and other third parties of fully serviced and maintained motor vehicles to players or player family members;



- Providing gift vouchers to players. The vouchers were purchased by the club using frequent flyer or credit card reward points that were accumulated by club managers. A register recording the distribution of gift vouchers was found during the investigation;



- Providing rental assistance to help players pay for residential accommodation;



- Airfares for personal travel by players and their immediate family members that were paid by the club;



- Providing other benefits such as payments for a boat and media training for players;



- Underwriting and guaranteeing payment of an amount equal to the value of a television broadcasting contract for a player so that the player would be paid regardless of whether the television contract materialised.



Parties interviewed



Coach


Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy was interviewed by Deloitte on 17 May 2010.



News Limited does not believe that Mr Bellamy was aware that the club was in breach of the NRL salary cap or that he knew what amounts individual players were paid, either by the club or by third parties.



Player Interviews


On Friday 14 May, at Deloitte’s request, the club set up appointments so that Deloitte could interview certain players individually at appointed times on 17 May. None of the players turned up for their interviews that day.



Further requests by Deloitte to interview those players have either been ignored or declined by the player or their manager/agent.



In two cases, a player manager/agent agreed that Deloitte could interview their client but subsequently no arrangements were made by the manager/agent for the interviews to occur.



A number of player manager/agents requested Deloitte to provide a list of documents sought in writing to which Deloitte subsequently received no response, with the exception of one player manager of a former Storm player.



Deloitte made numerous subsequent efforts to secure the cooperation and involvement of those players via letters and email requests to player managers/agents and through representations made to players via club employees, including the club’s acting CEO Frank Stanton.



Deloitte provided individual player manager/agents with a Confidentiality Agreement that obliged Deloitte to maintain confidentiality of any information provided by the player or their manager/agent. This Agreement was accepted by the Rugby League Players Association. None of the players or their manager/agents agreed to sign the confidentiality agreements or agreed to further requests for interviews.



A further meeting between Deloitte and most players was held at the club on 9 June at which Deloitte again sought cooperation from the players and asked the players to provide copies of their NRL contracts, copies of any letters of offer from the club and copies of any other agreements between players and any third party. Deloitte has not received any of the documents requested.



Director Interviews


Three of the independent directors of Storm (i.e. those directors not connected to News Limited), namely Dr Rob Moodie, Mr Gerry Ryan and Mr Peter Maher declined to be interviewed by Deloitte.



Deloitte interviewed the other independent director Ms Petra Fawcett. News Limited does not believe that Ms Fawcett was aware of the club’s salary cap breaches, or that she was aware of the payments to players through third parties.



News Limited does not believe that Dr Rob Moodie was aware of the club’s salary cap breaches, or that he was aware of the payments to players through third parties.



There is no evidence that Mr Gerry Ryan and Mr Peter Maher were aware that payments to players through third parties could have contributed to the club breaching the cap.



The News Limited connected directors who have served on the board between 2006-2010 – Peter Jourdain, John Webster and Craig Watt – were all interviewed by Deloitte. News Limited does not believe that any of those directors were aware of the club’s salary cap breaches or that they were aware of the payments to players through third parties. Craig Watt who remains a director of the club has also been available regularly for questioning by Deloitte throughout the investigation.



The News Limited connected director and acting CEO Mr Frank Stanton was also interviewed by Deloitte and has participated in regular meetings with Deloitte to respond to questions and provide information throughout the investigation. News Limited does not believe that Frank Stanton was aware of the club’s salary cap breaches or of the payments to players through third parties.



Executive Interviews


Offers to attend a voluntary interview with Deloitte were extended to Brian Waldron, Matt Hanson, Paul Gregory and Peter O’Sullivan. However none of these people agreed to be interviewed. Hanson attended an initial meeting and agreed to answer written questions. Cameron Vale was interviewed by Deloitte on 20 May 2010.



Background



On 22 April 2010 the National Rugby League found that the Melbourne Storm Football Club had breached the salary cap by an estimated $1.7 million over 5 years between 2006 and 2010.



The NRL stripped the club of its 2007 and 2009 Premierships, its 2006, 2007 and 2008 Minor Premierships and all competition points for 2010, and fined the club $500,000 and forced it to return $1.1 million in Premiership prize money. Melbourne Storm has commenced proceedings challenging the imposition of those penalties. The NRL is defending those proceedings.



The Investigation



Deloitte was appointed by News Limited to conduct a forensic examination of the club’s financial affairs on 22 April, 2010. A team of 5 investigators from Deloitte began work at the club’s premises the next day. The investigation was concluded on 6 July 2010.



Deloitte interviewed 18 people; 16 people associated with the club and two people from the NRL. A large number of people, including players, player managers and agents,



independent directors of the club and third parties declined to be interviewed or provide information to Deloitte.



The findings are therefore based on information provided during the interviews and on a wide ranging and comprehensive review of the club’s accounts, electronic records and hard copy documents at the club and some found elsewhere. In total, electronic records produced by 28 people that were stored on hard drives, back-up tapes, desktops, laptops and portable media devices were part of the original scope of the investigation with the records pertaining to 12 people analysed in further detail.



In total, more than 163,000 individual documents were reviewed as part of the investigation.



In conducting the investigation, Deloitte has interpreted the NRL rules and regulations as published in the relevant periods of the investigation. Deloitte are not NRL salary cap auditors and therefore their conclusions may not be the same as those reached by the NRL Salary Cap Auditor – where possible, Deloitte have sought to clarify any matters with the NRL Salary Cap Auditor.



A detailed report from Deloitte has been issued to News Limited. The report includes a number of schedules detailing payments to players and a detailed description of the assumptions used by Deloitte in interpreting the NRL Salary Cap Rules.



Deloitte has also provided News Limited with copies of letters, emails, email attachments, contracts, letters of offer to players and other records that are evidence of the findings.



End


Released by News Limited Corporate Affairs

For further details contact:

Greg Baxter, Corporate Affairs Director, Tel: 02 9288 3274

[Vasco]

Melbourne Storm – Deloitte Investigation

July 15, 2010


News Limited today received a report of summary findings of the forensic investigation by independent accounting firm Deloitte into the salary cap breaches by the Melbourne Storm Rugby League Football Club.

As a result of Deloitte’s report, News Limited estimates that the total value of salary cap breaches by the club between 2006 and 2010 is up to $3.170 million, an approximate 83% increase on the original NRL estimate of $1.735 million.

This amount could be lower or higher because players, managers and other third parties opted not to provide information to Deloitte or News Limited during the investigation. However, News Limited believes it is most unlikely that the amount will be materially lower.

The breaches are significantly higher than first estimated by the NRL in each year between 2006–2010, including in 2007 and 2009 when the Melbourne Storm won the NRL Premiership.

The original estimated breach for the 2010 season by the NRL of $700,000 has blown out to a possible $1,027,968, an increase of 47%. This amount could be lower or higher if further information is provided.

The estimated likely excess of player financial commitments over the salary cap of $4.1million for 2011 is $1.325 million, and again, as not all parties have fully co-operated this number could be higher or lower.

Based on information available to it, Deloitte examined the club’s financial commitments to the proposed top 25 players to be paid for the 2011 season. Player commitments for 2011 are those required to be included in the club’s top 25 salary cap calculations under the NRL rules.


The Melbourne Storm has financial commitments in place with players for 2011 of possibly $5,425,188, which is $1,325,188 in excess of the salary cap of $4.1million. These calculations are based on work performed by Deloitte as at 4 June 2010.

Recent NRL Salary Cap Changes

On 22 June 2010, the NRL announced an increase in the salary cap of $100,000. If this change is taken into account, News Limited expects that the Melbourne Storm is forecast to be a possible $1,225,188 over the salary cap in 2011.


The 2007 and 2009 Premierships

There have been media reports that people associated with the club believe the NRL should reinstate the 2007 Premiership, based on a belief that the estimated breach of the salary cap in 2007 was about $273,000.



Those calling for the reinstatement of the 2007 Premiership have noted that the club’s salary cap breach in 2007 was similar to the breach by the club in 2003 of $261,912 and that the penalty for that breach was a fine of only $130,956.

Following the forensic investigation, it is News Limited’s view that the actual breach in 2007 was an estimated $551,032, 110% higher than the breach in 2003.


Similarly, News Limited now believes that the actual breach in 2009 when the Storm won the Premiership was an estimated $964,877, higher again than the breach in 2007.


Combined with the fact that the breaches occurred over 5 years, the findings made by Deloitte reinforce News Limited’s view that the penalties were appropriate.


NRL Contracts and “Side” Letters

In certain cases, the Storm appears to have maintained a dual contract system with formal contracts lodged with the NRL supplemented by “side” letters between the club and some players that guaranteed additional payments and benefits.



A file containing three “side” letters of offer to three players was obtained by News Limited from a file retained by the former acting CEO of the Storm Matt Hanson.



The “side” letters include amounts to be paid to the players that are well in excess of the amounts in the contracts for the same players that were lodged with the NRL.



The letters include guarantees of payments to the players via third parties. A guarantee of a payment to a player via a third party should be counted under the cap.



All three letters are signed by former Storm CEO Brian Waldron.



It has not been established whether the players who received these letters, were aware that the additional commitments in them were not disclosed by the club to the NRL nor if they contributed to the club breaching the cap.



It is not known if other players received or signed “side” letters offering them payments and benefits in excess of their formal NRL contracts.



NRL Contracts and Letters of Offer

Other additional payments were discovered by comparing letters of offer provided to certain players with the formal contracts of these players that were lodged with the NRL.

Methods of Payment

Based on the forensic investigation, News Limited believes that many of the additional payments and benefits to players were either not disclosed or were recorded but not accurately described in the club’s books and records.


The main method of payment involved the club arranging for third parties to “employ” and/or pay players. The third parties issued invoices to the club for amounts described as “donations” or “consulting fees”. The club paid the invoices and they were recorded in the accounts as “donations” or “consulting fees” and not as payments to players.


Other methods and structures that have been identified included:



- Guaranteeing the value of third party agreements, where these could not be sourced for a player by the club;



- The provision by sponsors and other third parties of fully serviced and maintained motor vehicles to players or player family members;



- Providing gift vouchers to players. The vouchers were purchased by the club using frequent flyer or credit card reward points that were accumulated by club managers. A register recording the distribution of gift vouchers was found during the investigation;



- Providing rental assistance to help players pay for residential accommodation;



- Airfares for personal travel by players and their immediate family members that were paid by the club;



- Providing other benefits such as payments for a boat and media training for players;



- Underwriting and guaranteeing payment of an amount equal to the value of a television broadcasting contract for a player so that the player would be paid regardless of whether the television contract materialised.



Parties interviewed



Coach


Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy was interviewed by Deloitte on 17 May 2010.



News Limited does not believe that Mr Bellamy was aware that the club was in breach of the NRL salary cap or that he knew what amounts individual players were paid, either by the club or by third parties.



Player Interviews


On Friday 14 May, at Deloitte’s request, the club set up appointments so that Deloitte could interview certain players individually at appointed times on 17 May. None of the players turned up for their interviews that day.



Further requests by Deloitte to interview those players have either been ignored or declined by the player or their manager/agent.



In two cases, a player manager/agent agreed that Deloitte could interview their client but subsequently no arrangements were made by the manager/agent for the interviews to occur.



A number of player manager/agents requested Deloitte to provide a list of documents sought in writing to which Deloitte subsequently received no response, with the exception of one player manager of a former Storm player.



Deloitte made numerous subsequent efforts to secure the cooperation and involvement of those players via letters and email requests to player managers/agents and through representations made to players via club employees, including the club’s acting CEO Frank Stanton.



Deloitte provided individual player manager/agents with a Confidentiality Agreement that obliged Deloitte to maintain confidentiality of any information provided by the player or their manager/agent. This Agreement was accepted by the Rugby League Players Association. None of the players or their manager/agents agreed to sign the confidentiality agreements or agreed to further requests for interviews.



A further meeting between Deloitte and most players was held at the club on 9 June at which Deloitte again sought cooperation from the players and asked the players to provide copies of their NRL contracts, copies of any letters of offer from the club and copies of any other agreements between players and any third party. Deloitte has not received any of the documents requested.



Director Interviews


Three of the independent directors of Storm (i.e. those directors not connected to News Limited), namely Dr Rob Moodie, Mr Gerry Ryan and Mr Peter Maher declined to be interviewed by Deloitte.



Deloitte interviewed the other independent director Ms Petra Fawcett. News Limited does not believe that Ms Fawcett was aware of the club’s salary cap breaches, or that she was aware of the payments to players through third parties.



News Limited does not believe that Dr Rob Moodie was aware of the club’s salary cap breaches, or that he was aware of the payments to players through third parties.



There is no evidence that Mr Gerry Ryan and Mr Peter Maher were aware that payments to players through third parties could have contributed to the club breaching the cap.



The News Limited connected directors who have served on the board between 2006-2010 – Peter Jourdain, John Webster and Craig Watt – were all interviewed by Deloitte. News Limited does not believe that any of those directors were aware of the club’s salary cap breaches or that they were aware of the payments to players through third parties. Craig Watt who remains a director of the club has also been available regularly for questioning by Deloitte throughout the investigation.



The News Limited connected director and acting CEO Mr Frank Stanton was also interviewed by Deloitte and has participated in regular meetings with Deloitte to respond to questions and provide information throughout the investigation. News Limited does not believe that Frank Stanton was aware of the club’s salary cap breaches or of the payments to players through third parties.



Executive Interviews


Offers to attend a voluntary interview with Deloitte were extended to Brian Waldron, Matt Hanson, Paul Gregory and Peter O’Sullivan. However none of these people agreed to be interviewed. Hanson attended an initial meeting and agreed to answer written questions. Cameron Vale was interviewed by Deloitte on 20 May 2010.



Background



On 22 April 2010 the National Rugby League found that the Melbourne Storm Football Club had breached the salary cap by an estimated $1.7 million over 5 years between 2006 and 2010.



The NRL stripped the club of its 2007 and 2009 Premierships, its 2006, 2007 and 2008 Minor Premierships and all competition points for 2010, and fined the club $500,000 and forced it to return $1.1 million in Premiership prize money. Melbourne Storm has commenced proceedings challenging the imposition of those penalties. The NRL is defending those proceedings.



The Investigation



Deloitte was appointed by News Limited to conduct a forensic examination of the club’s financial affairs on 22 April, 2010. A team of 5 investigators from Deloitte began work at the club’s premises the next day. The investigation was concluded on 6 July 2010.



Deloitte interviewed 18 people; 16 people associated with the club and two people from the NRL. A large number of people, including players, player managers and agents,



independent directors of the club and third parties declined to be interviewed or provide information to Deloitte.



The findings are therefore based on information provided during the interviews and on a wide ranging and comprehensive review of the club’s accounts, electronic records and hard copy documents at the club and some found elsewhere. In total, electronic records produced by 28 people that were stored on hard drives, back-up tapes, desktops, laptops and portable media devices were part of the original scope of the investigation with the records pertaining to 12 people analysed in further detail.



In total, more than 163,000 individual documents were reviewed as part of the investigation.



In conducting the investigation, Deloitte has interpreted the NRL rules and regulations as published in the relevant periods of the investigation. Deloitte are not NRL salary cap auditors and therefore their conclusions may not be the same as those reached by the NRL Salary Cap Auditor – where possible, Deloitte have sought to clarify any matters with the NRL Salary Cap Auditor.



A detailed report from Deloitte has been issued to News Limited. The report includes a number of schedules detailing payments to players and a detailed description of the assumptions used by Deloitte in interpreting the NRL Salary Cap Rules.



Deloitte has also provided News Limited with copies of letters, emails, email attachments, contracts, letters of offer to players and other records that are evidence of the findings.



End


Released by News Limited Corporate Affairs

For further details contact:

Greg Baxter, Corporate Affairs Director, Tel: 02 9288 3274

Yep, we all believe News Ltd.

[Guest]

I cant understand the comments aimed at News Ltd. I would have thought that this happening to the Storm would be detrimental to their business. Surely if the report came from them they would prefer it was favourable??