So there is no evidence the club knew about this information but we're being punished for not telling them anyway? What rubbish.
The integrity commission's job is to ensure the outcome that the big bosses want. The funniest thing is that the person assigned to question Richo will be reporting to Richo in his new role. It is just too funny, a complete sham.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...r-shane-richardson-probe-20150214-13eosp.html
NRL blasted for failing to appoint independent investigator for Shane Richardson probe
Date February 14, 2015
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
The NRL integrity unit is again under fire for inconsistency following its decision to appoint an independent investigator in its probe of Todd Greenberg – but failing to do so in the case of Shane Richardson.
Former ARL judiciary judiciary chairman Alan Sullivan QC said NRL integrity unit boss Nick Weekes was placed in an invidious position by grilling future superior Richardson, predicting the public would suspect a "cover-up".
The NRL engaged independent Sydney barrister Tony Bannon SC to conduct a review of the Bulldogs' actions in relation to the standing down of Ben Barba to ensure there were no conflicts of interest surrounding the role of Greenberg, who had only just made the transition from Belmore to head office.
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"It is important that everyone can have faith in the independence of the process and Tony Bannon is perfectly qualified to deliver that outcome," the NRL's then chief operating officer, Jim Doyle, said at the time.
Bannon's report concluded Greenberg had acted "appropriately and sensitively" and that the Bulldogs could not establish any evidence of domestic violence towards Barba's partner, Ainslie Currie.
Richardson, recently trumpeted as the NRL's head of game strategy and development, will be one of the parties grilled after the integrity unit reopened its investigation into the handling of incidents involving South Sydney players Luke Burgess and John Sutton during a high-altitude camp in Arizona.
Richardson was the CEO of the Rabbitohs at the time of the dramas and will begin his newly created role at Rugby League Central next month. However, the NRL has chosen not to appoint Bannon or any other independent party to review the case, leaving Weekes to make a determination on a future workmate who will be sitting on the same floor in just a few weeks.
"I would have thought, prima facie, they should have someone independent look at it given Shane's position in the NRL and his previous involvement with South Sydney. That would be the right appearance," Sullivan said.
"I have the utmost respect for both of them, but I think from a transparency point of view it could be perceived as a problem. They have to work together yet the conduct of one has to be investigated by the other.
"There's a tendency that, if Nick Weekes was to conclude that Shane Richardson acted appropriately, the public would rightly or wrongly believe there was a cover-up.
"That is a matter which is of concern and I empathise with the situation they are both in. I think they should not be put in that situation if it could be avoided."
The NRL is already under siege after bungling its initial investigation, which was only reopened after Fairfax Media revealed charges against Manly recruit Burgess were only dropped after the assault victim was given "satisfaction".
The debacle comes just a week after the NRL sacked one of its longest-serving senior executives, head of commercial Paul Kind, for breaching the governing body's code of conduct and "direct conflicts of interest".
The expectation among club powerbrokers is that Richardson will be cleared of any wrongdoing, enabling him to commence his new job, which is reportedly worth at least $500,000 per annum.
Sullivan, who was highly critical of the NRL's decision to fine Paul Gallen $50,000 over a tweet, said an independent tribunal separate from the management arm of the game should be established to ensure transparency and consistency.
"That's an important aspect in having independent reviews rather than internal reviews," he said.
"One of my current roles, for instance, is that I'm the deputy chairman of the FIFA ethics committee. The chairman and I are both appointed independent of any of the confederations for corruption issues inside FIFA. That would be something [the NRL] could consider.
"On the other hand, I don't mind if the investigation is done in-house to a certain extent, as long as the decision made on that investigation is made by people who are independent."
