Finally, the paymaster walks
By Matthew Thompson, Kate McClymont, Anne Davies and Stephen Gibbs
August 27 2002
"I have never acted improperly or unlawfully in any position I have held" ... a defiant Gary McIntyre, centre, at the Bulldogs Leagues Club yesterday. Photo: Steven Siewert
The Oasis-salary cap scandal claimed further heads yesterday when the Bulldogs Leagues Club president, Gary McIntyre, resigned and the Liverpool mayor, George Paciullo, stood aside.
The ICAC commissioner, Irene Moss, also announced that she would not be involved in the inquiry because of her husband's position as head of Macquarie Bank.
Macquarie, which was initially involved in the controversial $900 million Oasis project, is suing the Bulldogs-Liverpool Council joint venture vehicle over banking fees.
On the steps of the Bulldog Leagues Club, a defiant but drained-looking Mr McIntyre resigned as president after a week of damaging publicity about his involvement in the club's million-dollar breach of the NRL's salary cap over the past two seasons.
He had already resigned as chairman of the Oasis joint venture vehicle.
Proclaiming his innocence, Mr McIntyre said: "I have never acted improperly or unlawfully in any position I have held ... I am confident that any inquiries or investigations ... will clear me of any wrongdoing."
He also denied reports that the new football club chief executive, Steve Mortimer, had asked him to go. Instead, his decision was made to preserve the reputation of both the Bulldogs Leagues Club and the Bulldogs Football Club and was not a concession of guilt.
In response to the Herald's revelations about payments to him from Bulldog-related companies, Mr McIntyre claimed that all money received by him from the leagues club was in the annual financial accounts, and therefore circulated to members. "What my company earns elsewhere in unrelated entities is not relevant."
The outgoing president also demanded to remain involved in any investigations to be held into the salary cap scandal, the Oasis project, or other related matters.
"I have made it a condition of my resignation that I be permitted to participate in any investigation ... in[to] the affairs of the Club or the Oasis project," he said.
The nature of this right to "participate" was left unclear, as at the end of his statement Mr McIntyre was immediately ushered back into the club.
Councillor Paciullo yesterday bowed to pressure from Liverpool Council's general manager, Brian Carr, to stand aside as mayor while ICAC inquired into possible misuse of council funds.
Last night a statement prepared by Cr Paciullo, who was not present, was read to a packed council meeting. Cr Paciullo, who has kept a low profile as the Oasis scandal has unfolded, said he was happy for ICAC "to look into allegations against my character" and that he would wait "for the umpire to hand down their [sic] decision".
He also said that following allegations about his travel "I will be asking the ICAC to assess these claims, and will offer them full assistance in their inquiries".
Mr Carr told the meeting that the council had resolved to take control of the Oasis development. (Before this, the council had no members on the joint venture vehicle, which was run by Mr McIntyre).
"Council officials have been in talks with the Bulldogs to restructure the foundation's board and make its dealings more transparent," he said.
To achieve this, three council staff, three respected local citizens and an independent chairman would be appointed to the foundation, said Mr Carr, who will act as interim chairman until a replacement is found.
Meanwhile, the ICAC deputy commissioner, Kieran Pehm, will preside over its inquiry following Mrs Moss's decision to step aside. Mal Brammer, a former assistant commissioner of the NSW Police, will run the investigation, which will begin with Liverpool Council officials today.
