Ex-AFL star faces court on fraud charges

The writer of an explosive report into allegations of racism on the Hawthorn Football Club has confronted courtroom for the primary time after Victoria’s fraud squad introduced he can be charged with greater than 70 felony prices.

Former Richmond Tigers participant Phil Egan, 60, appeared earlier than the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday for a submitting listening to over allegations he stole from an Indigenous organisation between 2010 and 2015.

Mr Egan, who has beforehand denied any wrongdoing, appeared relaxed and calm as he sat chatting along with his authorized crew within the physique of the courtroom earlier than the case was referred to as.

Last week, Victoria Police introduced Mr Egan had been charged with 73 offences, together with acquiring monetary benefit by deception, utilizing false paperwork, and receiving secret commissions.

The prices relate to his time because the chief government of the Murray Valley Aboriginal Collective – a not-for-profit organisation that gives a spread of applications dedicated to bettering well being and welfare of Aboriginal folks in Robinvale.

According to paperwork launched by the courtroom, police allege Mr Egan “secretly gained” virtually $780,000 from the organisation by fraudulent invoices submitted to the Collective, on high and above the $823,000 he was paid.

An investigation was first launched in 2018 after the brand new chief government Paul O’Neill filed a grievance alleging monetary losses sustained from earlier workers and contractors.

It’s alleged Mr Egan and others used their positions on the Murray Valley Aboriginal Collective to acquire monetary benefit that they weren’t entitled to.

He labored because the non-profit’s chief government from 2010 to 2012 and was later contracted to offer companies as an government advisor from 2012 to 2014, the courtroom paperwork allege.

Mr Egan, who performed 125 video games for Richmond from 1982 to 1990, was first arrested as a part of a fraud investigation in February, with police laying prices on August 3.

In courtroom, his lawyer from Doogue and George, stated the case towards his shopper had “significant complexity” with a lot of shifting components.

He stated it was potential the allegations might change considerably earlier than the case made it to trial.

Mr Egan authored a damning exterior evaluation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks’s experiences with the Hawks, after former premiership star Cyril Rioli went public with allegations of racism on the AFL powerhouse.

Mr Egan was granted bail on his personal endeavor to return to courtroom for a committal point out on October 30.

Read associated matters:Melbourne

Source: www.news.com.au