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Category: Corruption / Corporate Governance / Fraud and Corporate Crime / Clubs and Associations

Former RSL president withdrew over $200,000 in cash from corporate card, report shows

Tuesday, 13 Dec 2016 17:11:31 | Angela Lavoipierre

The report says Don Rowe resigned after threats of a forensic audit. (ABC News)

An investigation has revealed the former president of RSL NSW, Don Rowe, withdrew more than $200,000 in cash from a corporate credit card over six years while he was in the role.

The interim findings released today also confirmed the ABC's reports that senior figures in the league received a total of $2.5 million in consultancy fees.

The consultancy fees were the initial focus of the investigation, commissioned by the RSL, but it has since expanded to consider expenses claimed by Mr Rowe during this time.

The report reveals Mr Rowe claimed expenses of $475,000 dollars between 2009 and 2014, including $213,000 of cash withdrawals.

He was in the role for much longer, but the investigation only covers a six-year period.

When Mr Rowe resigned in 2014, the league said publicly it was because of poor health.

But the new report reveals Mr Rowe resigned after being threatened with a forensic audit.

A limited investigation was conducted at the time, but according to today's interim findings, the RSL received legal advice that "no further action needed to be taken".

The firm that conducted the first review, Grant Thornton, has since denied the ABC's requests to access it.

The latest findings, from audit firm KordaMentha, also reveal the RSL National President Rod White, who has stood down pending the outcome of the investigation, has not been co-operating with investigators.

He is among eight RSL officials who served on the RSL NSW state council at the same time as receiving a share of $2.5 million in consultancy fees from RSL Lifecare, an aged care charity within the organisation.

KordaMentha has requested more information about what consultancy services were provided in exchange, but Mr White has refused to provide them.

RSL focussed on core mission: acting president

Acting National President Robert Dick said the matters being investigated were "very serious" but insisted the organisation was making progress.

"We will investigate this to the full extent … disciplinary action will be taken should the people that these allegations are against be proven guilty, and we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour within the RSL", he said.

Mr Dick said the league was trying to get on with its core mission.

"Keep in mind the good work that the RSL has done over the last 100 years," he said.

"This is a distraction from our core business, but please let us concentrate on that to support the veterans' families and the serving and ex-serving community."

KordaMetha has made interim recommendations the consultancy fees are further investigated, as well as Mr Rowe's expense claims.

The RSL has said it would give all the recommendations serious consideration.

AustraliaPlus


 

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