The hits just keep on coming. The Nolan revelations in the Sun Herald and now the Tele have excerpts from the integrity unit boss' diary.
Parramatta Eels to be investigated by Police Fraud Squad for alleged tampered documents
PARRAMATTA officials allegedly liquid-papered over dodgy invoices, while crucial tapes of Eels board meetings mysteriously disappeared during the NRL’s forensic investigation of the club, explosive documents reveal.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the liquid-papering allegations — contained in extraordinary diary notes by the NRL’s integrity unit boss Nick Weeks — have now attracted the interest of the state’s Police Fraud Squad and NSW Liquor and Gaming.
Further new documents attached to the NRL’s Breach Notice against the club also make the allegation that star player Corey Norman was handed cash in the car park of Top Ryde Shopping Square by former Eels recruiter Peter Nolan.
The fresh documents have emerged on a day Parramatta’s season was effectively ended, with the extraordinary deduction of 12 competition points, the cancellation of the registration of the Eels’ five most senior officials — led by chairman Steve Sharp — and a $1 million fine.
But the club’s difficulties are just beginning. Fraud Squad and NSW Liquor and Gaming investigations are in full swing, with both bodies making their presences felt at the club’s HQ in recent weeks, and the Tax Office also investigating. Meanwhile, three separate proposals to overthrow the entire Parramatta Leagues Club board are pending.
“Liquid Paper-Gate” is already under the microscope. Mr Weeks’ diary notes refer to a confidential conversation with the club’s lawyer, John de Mestre, about an apparently doctored invoice from Zibara Clothing.
The NRL alleges Zibara issued inflated invoices to Parramatta totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars, despite the fact that in some cases no goods and services were provided in exchange for the money. These inflated invoices allowed Eels players to receive third-party agreements.
In a diary entry from April 16 this year, Mr Weeks, who was gathering evidence for the NRL investigation, told of a conversation he had with Mr de Mestre where the latter talks of “a Zibara invoice that had been liquid papered”.
Mr Weeks’ diary entry also revealed Mr de Mestre had told him the recording of all but a minute of a crucial January 2014 board meeting — where, according to board minutes, plans to cheat the salary cap had been discussed at length — had been deleted: “JDM … told me that the recording of the January 2014 board meeting didn’t work and that only 1 minute had been recorded.”
Mr de Mestre was last night unable to comment.
Meanwhile, the new allegations on payments to players have emerged from a signed statement by former Eels CEO Scott Seward, obtained by the NRL as part of its investigation.
Mr Seward said in his statement the $3000 a month was to cover Norman’s rent, alleging that Mr Nolan, now a recruiter with the Broncos, made some of the payments in person. “On one occasion I recall Nolan telling me he handed Norman a cash payment in the car park at Top Ryde,” he said.
Norman’s manager Paul Sutton had no comment yesterday. Both Mr Nolan and Mr Seward did not return calls.
The extraordinary allegations and penalties against the Eels have turned also key Western Sydney advocates against the club’s board.
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chairman Chris Brown said: “This entire episode has been a stain on Western Sydney’s reputation. Everybody who’s been involved should have the decency to bugger off. That means the entire board has to go.”
Replies
Already a blog about this Jimmy.
No there isn't EE.
Nah, more likely it would have been one of the five or the club that leaked the Nolan stuff - to show that the extent of Seward, Irvine and Nolan's involvement in the rorting. To take the pressure off. That's my guess.
Norman given cash payments by Nolan Blog effectively covers the same info mate. No problem, blog away!
LOL, it really makes you wonder just how flaming dumb these idiots are!
Probably used clear plastic bags when handing over the money in the car park too!
The best part of the media beat up now is that the NRL cannot punish the EELS any further. Done and Dusted every article now mean zero to me. The EELS had their hands caught in the TILL and the only ones to suffer are the supporters.
I will lay blame to the players / managers for screwing the eels as well but not entirely as they were trying to get the most out of their situation. The EELS board and management through a lack of skill couldn't do their jobs by finding legit TPA's and make promises they can't keep and had to use the good old Sewards way. Top up from merchandise.
Now why is this guy not being investigated for signing off as the CEO. Now thats 2 clubs he has been outed for with missing money from merchandise.
Leopards never change their spots "SPEWARD"
How about good old Peats he threatens not to play and gets 6k in the hand. Thank fuck this prick was moved on.
Came to the club as a reserve grader and was injury prone on OVERS. I lose respect for some players when they put the club under this type of pressure.
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