Police and NRL Investigate Cap Breaches

[GCBRONCO]

Possible Salary Cap scandal involving Manly coming up. If it turns out to be true just another brick in the farce wall that is the salary cap.

 

[Battler]

We'll take Tauapu off their hands if they need to clear space!

 

[Super Freak]

I would definitely take Taupau.

Or Jake Trbojevic.

 

[Nashy]

The integrity of the NRL is under a cloud amid revelations that players from several clubs have taken secret benefits or cash payments in likely breach of salary cap rules.
The Manly Sea Eagles are suspected of breaching the salary cap via secret payments to at least one player in previous seasons, according to information gathered by NSW police and NRL officials.

Manly Sea Eagles is suspected of breaching the salary cap via secret payments to at least one player.
But it is understood Manly are not the only club under scrutiny, with the past behaviour of several other clubs also attracting police attention.

In revelations that pose a significant challenge for the NRL and chief executive Todd Greenberg, it is understood the NSW Organised Crime Squad has gathered evidence suggesting secret salary top-up payments have been made to players from several clubs. The information has emerged during an investigation into match fixing allegations.

An NRL insider told Fairfax Media detectives have not found evidence of an organised conspiracy involving players deliberately losing games. But detectives have information about intelligence being leaked by club insiders to punters, and, hidden player payments that may breach salary cap rules.

"It is systemic," said one witness who has been interviewed by police about his own role making undisclosed player payments at several clubs.

Another businessman who has been interviewed by police told Fairfax Media on Wednesday morning that secret salary top-up payments were happening "at every club." When asked whether he had ever made any undisclosed payments to a Manly player, he responded: "You write it. I've got no comment to make."
Manly said they are not aware of allegations of salary cap breaches, and that they have recently had their 2017 mid-year salary cap audit "completed by the NRL in record time and without adjustment".

"The Club remains the benchmark in relation to both salary cap and playing roster management at all levels across the NRL, something we remain immensely proud of. This leading compliance position has been confirmed by the NRL over the past three years being the tenure of the current salary cap management team of the club."

The NRL is facing a situation similar to that in 2014, when the Australian Crime Commission, using coercive interview powers, gained information from league insiders about doping issues. That information was passed, in a redacted form, to the NRL before the start of the 2013 season, allowing the league to launch an inquiry and take action.

The NSW Police Organised Crime Squad, which would not respond to questions citing its ongoing inquiry, is continuing to gather evidence mid-way through the NRL season.

It is understood police are yet to share detailed information with the NRL, although league investigators have been separately assessing salary cap issues across multiple clubs, players and player managers since last year. Police may be unable to share information if it is gained during confidential coercive examinations, which can not be released to non-police organisations such as the NRL. It means the NRL may never have access to information held by police, but will have to run its own inquiry. Several players and league figures have privately revealed that they have been the subject of coercive examinations.

An NRL spokesman said league officials were "in regular dialogue with police on matters relating to the game".
"At this stage, we are not in possession of evidence of salary cap violations which would warrant any disciplinary action," the spokesman said.
"But we remain in contact with police and will take action if it is warranted."

One police witness, a businessman, has told investigators he made undisclosed cash payments to help a small number of clubs retain valuable players. Manly was not one of these clubs. But intelligence has also been gathered about a cash handover in a car park in connection to a former Manly player. A second former Manly player is also the subject of allegations involving undisclosed player payments.

Several well-placed sources also confirmed that both police and the NRL hold concerns about Manly's handling of third-party player payments, including the accuracy of club financial records and the possible failure to disclose payments as required by the league. Third-party player payments involve sponsors or club supporters providing benefits to players that are below a certain level and reported to the NRL as part of the management of a club's salary cap. One well known Manly identity is suspected of condoning behaviour that risked breaching the salary cap.

Making secret payments to players to top up their salaries may involve the criminal offences of fraud or secret commissions, while also breaching NRL salary cap rules.

Fairfax Media has spoken to a small number of sources who have given evidence to the NSW Organised Crime Squad, including during secretive coercive hearings. It is unlawful to discuss what is said in a hearing, so some sources have asked not to be named. Fairfax Media has also spoken to a NRL insider with knowledge of some of the issues facing the league.

The sources said Manly are suspected of having engaged in salary cap breaches similar to those undertaken by Paramatta, which saw the club lose 12 points, effectively ending its 2016 season.

In news that will relieve the NRL, several well placed sources also told Fairfax Media that the police match fixing inquiry has failed to find evidence of organised game rigging. No person wil be charged with any serious criminal offences linked directly to game rigging, although other charges involving fraud or money laundering may still be laid.

It is also understood that police have made extensive inquiries about the leaking of inside information to certain figures, including a person with organised crime links, from at least one NRL player and a now former staff member from a NRL club. This information may have given those placing bets on NRL games an unlawful advantage. As the suspected inside information leaking and betting amounts to a breach of a less serious summary offence under NSW laws, police must lay charges within six months.

The betting activity being investigated by the NRL dates back to 2015, so charges can no longer be laid in respect of this betting. But money laundering, fraud and proceeds of crime offences have no statute of limitations.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...s-as-scandal-engulfs-nrl-20170705-gx565b.html

 

[Horseheadsup]

We'll take Tauapu off their hands if they need to clear space!

Hell yeah can see him in our colours.

 

[tommy]

If they want to keep those Trbojevic brothers they will both probably need decent upgrades whenever their contracts are up. Can see Manly losing a few if they want to keep them.

 

[Morkel]

It'll go nowhere. Sounds like they came up with zilch on the Manly players tanking those games and are just shaking the trees to see if they can get something to fall out so their time hasn't been for nought.

 

[ZeBigLebowski]

I believe the police are currently investigating by the ACCC Beau Ryan for false advertisement. Beau Ryan has been caught calling himself a 'Rugby League legend on the popular show Ninja warrior'. Unsure if this was part of his usual racist satire humour, or an actual statement made from the former Wollongong born rugby league player. The AFP are also currently investigating the fraudulent behaviour....

 

[Foordy]

HEFTY SANCTIONS LIKELY AS MANLY SEA EAGLES REFUSE TO CO-OPERATE WITH NRL SALARY CAP INVESTIGATION
Dean Ritchie, The Daily TelegraphJuly 25, 2017 6:43pm

THE salary cap cold war between Manly and the NRL failed to thaw on Tuesday despite both parties firing up their top officials for high-powered meetings.

Manly held lengthy meetings with club lawyers while the NRL’s integrity unit also met to discuss the festering issue.

Based on legal advice, the Sea Eagles continue to refuse handing over any relevant emails or mobile phone records to assist the NRL’s salary cap investigation.

Manly claim the mobile phones are privately used and owned, and the NRL has no legal right to seize them.

It is known one concerned Manly official in the front office is refusing to co-operate.

Manly chairman Scott Penn is overseas while his second in command, Geoff Day, did not return calls.

The NRL was tipped to sanction Manly on Tuesday unless the club provided the relevant information to NRL’s integrity unit.

Possible sanctions include a hefty fine, which would be a huge burden on the financially struggling Sea Eagles.

The NRL’s investigation centres around alleged secret cash payments to players in breach of salary cap rules.

NRL officials are becoming increasingly frustrated at what they claim is Manly’s lack of co-operation.

The club fears handing over such sensitive information could accidentally be leaked into the public domain.

If the standoff continues, the NRL could announce penalties for Manly as early as Wednesday.

The NRL claims its rules state clubs must fully co-operate with salary cap investigations, including surrendering information on electronic devices.

http://beta.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/251d32bc120f9df4d2bc0d25782cc9cd

 

[Sproj]

The CEO is always 'overseas' at times like these.

 

[mitch222]

The CEO is always 'overseas' at times like these.

I am not going to lie, its always a pure coincidence that these things always happen whilst someone of high power is away at the time.

 

[Kimlo]

I thought the last bit of news was Manly "throwing their books open".

 

[Nashy]

I thought the last bit of news was Manly "throwing their books open".

Club run by ex footballers. They probably went to their accountant mate and he told them what everyone knows. Footy players just ain't that good at running the clubs.

 

[CaptainHook]

The way I understood the story is that Manly were cooperating fully and were willing to hand over anything to do with the salary cap.

The problem with that is that there may be personal information or information unrelated to the salary cap drama on those devices that Manly don't what the integrity unit to be aware of.

 

[Nashy]

The way I understood the story is that Manly were cooperating fully and were willing to hand over anything to do with the salary cap.

The problem with that is that there may be personal information or information unrelated to the salary cap drama on those devices that Manly don't what the integrity unit to be aware of.

Like a second set of books?

 

[Super Freak]

If the Integrity Unit aren't allowed to have access to everything then what's the fucking point of investigating?

The time it takes them to get a court order, everything could be wiped.

 

[Renegade]

If the Integrity Unit aren't allowed to have access to everything then what's the fucking point of investigating?

The time it takes them to get a court order, everything could be wiped.

can't wipe bank accounts. any forensics guy worth their salt will get back the data if they've wiped it from a pc and its still around.

 

[Morkel]

If it involves potential fraud (either by cooking the salary cap books, or tax avoidance, or both), then it's no longer just a club matter. The player's and staff's phones should be well within jurisdiction.