Dear Members of Parramatta Leagues Club and Supporters of the Parramatta Eels,
On Friday afternoon, I received correspondence from the CEO of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) detailing 16 grounds of complaint (with multiple examples within each ground) against the Parramatta Leagues Club (PLC), select members of the former PLC Board and a former executive of the company.
Based upon a lengthy and wide-ranging investigation from the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR), ILGA have issued show cause notices against five individuals on the grounds that they are not fit and proper to be directors of a registered Club. OLGR has also recommended that the Parramatta Leagues Club face a fine of up to $275,000 as a result of the actions of these five individuals.
There are multiple breaches within the sixteen grounds of complaint and the charges against the individuals can be summarised as a systemic and concerted effort to avoid the most basic governance principles for personal gain. In addition OLGR have also found grounds for complaint against two of the individuals in relation to membership tampering before the PLC elections in May 2013.
It's important to note that the OLGR investigation is based upon information provided voluntarily by the Club in late 2013 and the Club provided further information to OLGR following the discovery of membership tampering in May of this year. The Club has already made regulatory compliance and governance a major priority over the 12 months and will review the OLGR documents to assess progress against these governance issues.
The following extract included with documents supplied on Friday by ILGA accurately captures the extent of their concerns:
The assessment also identified habitual disregard by the Club, Directors, and the Secretary to the Clubs membership of ClubsNSW and its Code of Practice and Guidelines and similar disregard to the Clubs own Directors and Executive Team Guidelines and other policies. The aggregated contraventions identified suggest a culture of regulatory non-compliance at the Club, with their own Director and Executive Management codes, policies and procedures rhetorical rather than practice.
In addition to the show cause notices, the Club was provided with a total of 6,149 pages of evidence including transcripts and other investigation material. After reviewing these materials and in light of the ILGA advice, I intend to progress a range of actions whilst continuing our cooperation with OLGR and ILGA.
These include
- Suspension of current members issued with show cause notices
- Commencement of disciplinary action against members adversely named in the report as contributing to regulatory or compliance breaches
- Consideration of legal proceedings against members, individuals or businesses who obtained a financial benefit through these breaches
- Defamation proceedings against individuals who have made malicious claims and harassed the current Board and management team during the investigation process.
I regret having to report these matters to members however I anticipate that with the ILGA's decision to progress these matters, the Club and the Eels can close this chapter and put all its resources into service delivery and football performance following the transformation strategy of the last 12 months.
Following a successful year which saw much change successfully implemented, I hope the future reports consist of less regulatory news and more about the positive changes the Club is making to benefit its members and guests.
Thank you all for your patience and continued support.
Bevan Paul
CEO
Parramatta Leagues Club
Replies
Given OLGR has recommended that the Parramatta Leagues Club face a fine of up to $275,000 as a result of the actions of five individuals I'm hoping that they take into account the following mitigating factors detailed in Bevan Paul's email;
"It's important to note that the OLGR investigation is based upon information provided voluntarily by the Club in late 2013 and the Club provided further information to OLGR following the discovery of membership tampering in May of this year. The Club has already made regulatory compliance and governance a major priority over the 12 months and will review the OLGR documents to assess progress against these governance issues."
Bedtime reading
So the current board will face a fine because of what a previous board has done?
Yes. Club must take responsibility. But mitigating factors involved with Steve Sharp's board being honest and making a voluntary disclosure.
No names - no pack-drill at the moment but I guess everyone can join the dots and know which Cretans are behind this. I don't want to start a guessing comp because the mods will jump on this. Names are not too far away from being public.
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