The Herald has additionally been advised that Richardson, after chatting with this masthead, has since accused a former workers member of being the whistleblower and used Wests Tigers funds to ship off a authorized risk this week.
That former worker has since reached out to ex-Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis for authorized recommendation and illustration. Hagipantelis declined to remark.
Former Wests Tigers boss Lee Hagipantelis.Credit: Janie Barrett
The NRL is taking the matter severely and has spoken to present and former Wests Tigers workers members in regards to the difficulty. The matter has additionally reached members of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
The NRL acquired the tip-off by means of the code’s non-public whistleblower hotline and is known to be in possession of proof that can be pivotal to any potential future investigation if deemed vital.
The Wests Tigers used to have a whistleblower hotline by means of Core Integrity, nonetheless the membership determined to finish its association when Richardson took over from earlier CEO Justin Pascoe.
The NRL’s Whistleblower Policy was set as much as present a course of for individuals to boost considerations relating to suspected misconduct involving the NRL or the ARLC.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson (left) and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne at Leichhardt Oval.Credit: Edwina Pickles/SMH
Under the coverage, it states that an individual could make a report if they’ve affordable grounds to suspect {that a} director, officer, worker, contractor, provider or different one who has enterprise dealings with the NRL or ARLC has engaged in misconduct or an improper state of affairs.
Richardson is likely one of the longest serving directors in rugby league however has endured a tough season after his determined bid to retain Lachlan Galvin was rejected by {the teenager} and his administration, culminating in his mid-season exit to the Bulldogs.
Richardson’s future is now below the highlight, with HBG administrators annoyed together with his strategy and lack of communication and transparency with the homeowners.
Loading
In an interview with the Herald on Thursday, Holman Barnes Group chief government Daniel Paton admitted that the homeowners have been blindsided.
“Now, there’s an settlement between Wests Tigers and Holman Barnes Group the place sure choices which are made want to come back again to the proprietor for approval. That merely hasn’t been occurring,” Paton mentioned.
“And I may give an instance of that – the stadium coverage round Leichhardt Oval. So the announcement was that Leichhardt Oval could be the house of Wests Tigers for the following 15 years. The Holman Barnes Group board solely came upon about that with 16,000 different followers at Leichhardt Oval. Which is de facto dangerous for enterprise, and it’s fairly embarrassing actually.”
Richardson is protected by a seven-figure termination pay-out, nonetheless, that could possibly be in jeopardy because the NRL start to make enquiries into his conduct on the membership.
The Wests Tigers CEO took over from Justin Pascoe on the finish of 2023 following an unbiased governance overview carried out by Tony Crawford and Gary Barnier.
In February 2024 he denied a battle of curiosity to this masthead when he signed a participant managed by his son, Brent, for the corporate he half owned.
Richardson mentioned all of the related declarations had been made to the board previous to him accepting the CEO place.
Enrichd Group, previously Rich Digital – is a enterprise that specialises in model constructing, digital innovation and expertise administration.
When Richardson started his tenure on the membership the corporate signed on as a guide to Wests Tigers to assist the membership develop its model and drive worthwhile outcomes.
The membership has additionally signed a number of gamers from the corporate’s NRL and NRLW company department headed up by Richardson’s son, together with Solomona Faataape and Charlie Murray.
