Parramatta are investigating evidence suggesting that former directors, staff and members were intimidated and harassed "with the full knowledge" of the former Eels board and ex-chief executive Bob Bentley.
After a year of vast improvement under Brad Arthur another off-season of turmoil and upheaval looms for the blue-and-golds away off the field.
The Eels announced on Monday that former chairman Roy Spagnolo had been asked to stand down immediately from the Parramatta District Rugby League, which he continues to chair, pending the outcome of investigations that have linked him and former CEO Bob Bentley to systematic membership tampering in the lead-up to last year's club elections.
Under scrutiny: Ex-Eels chief executive Bob Bentley. Photo: Jon Reid
Eels officials also say that members allegedly involved in the club's membership tampering scandal will be called to explain their actions.
There was further drama with the Parramatta Leagues Club board resolving to further probe allegations "regarding the intimidation, bullying and harassment of former directors, PLC staff and PLC members".
In a statement, the Eels said and investigation "has found evidence that indicates this behaviour was carried out with the knowledge of the previous PLC Board of Directors and the previous PLC CEO."
Difficult times: "It's very unfortunate that this has to happen after such a great season on and off the field in 2014": Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp. Photo: Supplied
Spagnolo did not respond to attempts to contact him by Fairfax Media on Monday night.
The inquiry will focus heavily on claims centred around former first-grader Terry Leabeater and allegations of intimidating behaviour towards people including former director Joe Saad.
In new evidence tabled to last Friday's board meeting, it is alleged that the previous administration run by Spagnolo was made aware of claims from Saad that Leabeater had harassed him to the point where he upgraded security at his home at significant cost.
Saad, who split from Spagnolo's Parra 4 Ever ticket last year to run as an independent at the May election, was on the receiving end of several abusive emails sent from Leabeater that were CC'd to other directors and have been seen by Fairfax Media. Leabeater on Monday acknowledged he had sent them but claims he did so in response to allegations aired on a fan site, and then the website Crikey, that he believed suggested he had made threats to Saad and his family.
He vehemently denied making any such threats, saying suggestions he did were "disgraceful". In a message to chairman Steve Sharp, he said: "Steve you really are a disgrace in what you are doing. I hope you are very proud of yourself!!"
The Eels said PLC directors had resolved to ask Spagnolo to stand down from the PDRL board while police and Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing investigations were being carried out into the conduct of the previous administration.
The 186 members identified to have had memberships fraudulently created or backdated in the weeks ahead of last year's club election would be asked to appear before the board, the club said.
"It's very unfortunate that this has to happen after such a great season on and off the field in 2014," Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp said in the Eels' statement. "Our board will do everything we can to ensure that our club will be managed with a commitment to openness and integrity; and for the benefit of members, not individuals."
Replies
The Joe Saad allegations have been around for a while now. The funny thing was when Crikey wrote the piece they never named the person making threats to Saad's family. Thick-as-a-brick Leabeater decided to out himself. Definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed.
'allegations aired on a fan site' - lol, I guess the smh do use 1eyedeel as a news source. Let's make up some signing rumours, oh wait...
Foran to Parra!
JT to Parra!
Izzy to Parra!
Tamou to Parra!
Mansour to Parra!
James Graham to Parra!
That will do for today.... LOL
Can I remind anyone who posts to this thread not to be make any suggestions regarding anyone mentioned in this article that might even start to stray into the realms of defamation. Remember you are responsible for the legalities of your own comments and while myself and the moderators will remove any comments we deem as straying into dangerous territory you are advised to self-moderate.
Say something nasty about a great bloke like Spagnolo. Never.
It would be nice if Chuck could self-moderate.
Personal difficulties are no excuse to selfishly hijack every blog with incoherent rambling and stupid pictures, ruining the forum for everybody else.
AS I said in another forum Frankie you're not the only one. At the time you had Fitzy who was running the leagues club into the ground financially. I think they were even running a loss in the beverage department, not sure how you can do that. For all these allegations against Spagnolo, he did ensure that the leagues club is making a profit. To bad about the rest of it though.
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