ACT Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones stood down by board
-
<p>And this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-act-brumbies-board-stands-down-ceo-michael-jones/news-story/e4f8e8735afa144dfe9b7e87cdd44d37'>http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-act-brumbies-board-stands-down-ceo-michael-jones/news-story/e4f8e8735afa144dfe9b7e87cdd44d37</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Police are believed to be examining up to 50,000 emails and documents from 2009-2013 relating to the deal, in which their Griffith base was sold for $11.375 million.<br><br>
Jones has said publicly that his referral did not relate to any current Brumbies employees and there was no money missing, but that he had found several “anomalies†which he referred to forensic accountants KPMG, who then concluded it should be further investigated by authorities.<br><br>
KPMG wouldn't have recomended referral to the AFP without good reason. I do not agree with the way Jones conducted himself in that interview but am also concerned that Pulver doesn't seem to concerned about ongoing management of a SR franchise. After the KPMG investigation he would have no option but to support further action and the first paragraph implies it was reluctant. Seems like a face saving move in getting rid of Jones and no real desire to get to the bottom of any mismangement.
<p> </p>
</blockquote> -
<p>After reading a bit more, it appears that its mostly former air force pilot Jones - new school business - versus the old boys in Canberra. So maybe "fucking nut job" should be "fucking hard arse".</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Going to be an interesting week in Canberra. Bet the local journos are just happy they've got something to write about.</p> -
<p>Here I was thinking that I didn't realise that MJ had taken time out from eating Carls Jr, pushing diabetes (Carls Jr) on Poly peoples and going to church only to discover in the thread it's another MJ. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Seems like a bit of a clusterfuck though.</p> -
<p>From the<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/4beu8x/brumbiesgate_explained_the_tldr/'> reddit thread on Brumbies-gate - the tl;dr</a>, FYI:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p>Someone asked in an earlier thread if there could be a tl;dr on this complex issue, here is my best chronological summary, and I HIGHLY recommend you listen to the 20 minute radio interview linked below:</p>
<ul><li>
<p>Brumbies in financial woes from 2009-2013</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Brumbies bring in Michael Jones (former investment banker) in 2015 as CEO to right the ship</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Jones takes club from $1.68 million loss to a $1 million profit (2.6 million turnaround)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>However, in fixing these financial issues, he gets singled out as a trouble maker for taking a strong stance for the club in negotiations of several deals</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Meanwhile he discovers something highly questionable about the sale of the club's Griffith headquarters for $11.375 million in 2013 prior to his arrival</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The Australian Federal Police start an investigation focused on a number of dubious transactions between 2009 and 2013 which relate to the 2013 sale of the club’s old headquarters in Griffith; there is an independent audit of more than 50,000 emails at the club</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>At this point, major butts are hurt and Jones is the target of slander by some nefarious characters with something to hide</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>This past weekend Jones goes on the ABC Grandstand show <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://omnyapp.com/shows/abc-grandstand/michael-jones-tim-gavel'>(link to 20min interview here - the host Tim Gavel is relentless - its a great listen if you have the time)</a>and claims the Brumbies would cease to exist if he decided to fight back against those attacking him, and questioned the club's investment in a new headquarters at the University of Canberra and makes this statement about the possible impact of the problems he dug up:</p>
</li>
</ul><p>“It will have a major impact on Australian rugby, because if the Brumbies cease to be an entity, which is one of the very foreseeable outcomes – and has been a stated outcome of some of the people having a hack at us – if that is allowed to happen, the ARU will be in default of the SANZAAR agreement, because they are required to field five teams every week.â€</p>
<ul><li>
<p>The nefarious characters now lose their minds after these comments on the show and The Brumbies board stand him down on Monday, but decided not to sack Jones or terminate his contract as it is understood the club is not in a position to foot the bill for a payout should it cut ties with Mr Jones, who has almost two years to run on his deal...rumor has it the ARU may put up the money for the buyout</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Now, some shady powerbrokers in Canberra with plenty to hide are trying to benefit from Jones being silenced</p>
</li>
</ul><p>...to be continued as we await the results of the Australian Federal Police investigation...</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/act-brumbies-chief-executive-michael-jones-stood-down-by-board-20160321-gnnq91.html'>source 1</a></p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/03/22/hell-just-happened-brumbies/'>source 2</a></p>
<p>EDIT: here is the ABC news interviewer <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/TimGavel'>Tim Gavel's Twitter</a>, some juicy updates today including that Jones says he has no option now but to take legal action</p>
<p>
</p>
</blockquote> -
<p>Yeah when that ABC interview dropped, Australian rugby was like</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://45.media.tumblr.com/e97d68965e310137f0e9437a1087dab2/tumblr_nq5ugwwiUQ1rrx588o1_400.gif" alt="tumblr_nq5ugwwiUQ1rrx588o1_400.gif"></p> -
<p>So to cut that story even shorter (if I read it right) it goes</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Brumbies mismanagement led to major losses</p>
<p>- new guy comes in and fixes things but in doing so finds dodgy shit</p>
<p>- new guy whistle blows on dodgy shit to cops</p>
<p>- new guy tells everyone what he has done on national media</p>
<p>- Brumbies stand new guy down for opening his mouth</p>
<p>- ARU have no idea whether to back new guy or their mates. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="566723" data-time="1458723843">
<p>From the<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/4beu8x/brumbiesgate_explained_the_tldr/'> reddit thread on Brumbies-gate - the tl;dr</a>, FYI:</p>
</blockquote>
<br><p>Just some clarifications:</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p>Jones takes club from $1.68 million loss to a $1 million profit (2.6 million turnaround)</p>
</blockquote>
<br><p>Projected. They haven't made money yet. Michael's background has enabled them to steady the ship and the Brumbies are looking better than they have off-field for a long time.<br>
</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p>Meanwhile he discovers something highly questionable about the sale of the club's Griffith headquarters for $11.375 million in 2013 prior to his arrival</p>
</blockquote>
<br><p>Not quite. The forensic auditors did and one of their recommendations is for it to be investigated by the AFP as possible fraud.<br><br>
Having questioned the benefit of selling their only asset and then pre-paying a 30 year lease at UC and contributing to a new facility they have no equity in, Michael Jones was then threatened by Vice Chancellor of UC with a defamation suit.</p> -
<p>The UC setup is a good idea as far as the rugby goes but maybe the way the move was used to 'do some deals' is shaky.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In checking whether I remembered correctly about the setup at Griffith I looked on Google Maps and lo and behold, where there was once a small pub/club and a small office building/gym next to the Griffith Oval (which is a public park) there is now a large apartment development.</p>
