Police clear Storm of salary cap fraud
Megan Levy
May 6, 2011
Victoria Police say they have found no evidence of criminal behaviour in the salary cap scandal that engulfed the Melbourne Storm rugby league club last year.
After a 10-month investigation, detectives announced in a statement this morning that no fraud-related offences had been committed.
Fraud squad detectives had identified some offences relating to the falsification of statutory declarations, police said.
Some of these declarations were made outside of Victoria.
"We have decided not to pursue this line of inquiry, as to do so would be extremely resource intensive and there is a high probability it would not result in any charges being laid," police said.
"Victoria Police understands other regulatory agencies have some jurisdiction in relation to the salary cap breaches and believe the criminal environment is not the most suitable way to prosecute this matter."
In July last year, an audit showed that the Melbourne Storm breached its salary cap by $3.2 million between 2006-10, and was on track to exceed it by $1.3 million last year.
The National Rugby League stripped the Storm of two premiership titles, demanded $1.5 million in fines and prize money and ruled the club would play for no points last season.
Victoria Police said it would be taking no further action on the matter.