ID :
66037
Tue, 06/16/2009 - 16:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/66037
The shortlink copeid
Man arrested over alleged $500,000 fraud
A man has been arrested over an alleged $500,000 life insurance fraud, believed to
be linked to a donation made to the Cronulla Sharks rugby league club.
The 27-year-old Goulburn man was arrested at a Cronulla hotel, in southern Sydney,
at about 3.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, police said.
Detectives began investigating the matter after a major insurance firm reported that
doctors nominated by the man had "denied treating him or any knowledge of his
reported illness".
The man had allegedly claimed to be suffering from a terminal illness.
"Detectives were also made aware of the man's disguised appearance on a television
news program at the weekend in which he claimed he donated $30,000 from a life
insurance payout to an NRL football club," police said in a statement.
Media reports named the man as Clint Elford, who had claimed to be suffering from
the neurological condition Shy-Drager Syndrome.
He may have used money from the allegedly false insurance claim to pay the Cronulla
Sharks, News Ltd reported.
When asked why he was arrested, the man told the Seven Network: "Because they've
said I frauded (sic) Allianz insurance". He denied the allegation.
Media reports over the past week have said a 27-year-old Sharks fan contacted the
club, offering to donate money from an insurance payout.
Former Cronulla chief executive Tony Zappia is alleged to have had contact with the
man, who wanted to set up a foundation to assist the cash-strapped club.
Zappia met with the Sharks board at Cronulla on Tuesday afternoon.
After the meeting he told reporters he had always acted in the interest of the club
and used the funds for its benefit.
"I acknowledge that I did not inform the board about the foundation or the source of
donations to it," he said, reading from a statement.
"The board is disappointed about this and in hindsight I regret not informing them."
In a statement, the Sharks board said it was angry they were only informed about the
money and the existence of the foundation through media reports.
"Mr Zappia produced records pertaining to the donations and the foundation that he
received and set up," the statement said.
The board's legal team will examine all the information and write a report, which
will be handed on to the NRL and any relevant authorities.
The Seven Network also reported the man had spent all of his payout on donations to
organisations including Oxfam, the Royal Children's Hospital, and $50,000 to the
Waverley lifeguards.
Financial documents, framed football jerseys and Sharks team photos were among items
seized in a raid on the man's Goulburn home on Tuesday afternoon.
"Police are continuing to make inquiries with a number of other major insurance
companies and investigations are ongoing," police said.
The man is being questioned at Miranda station.
be linked to a donation made to the Cronulla Sharks rugby league club.
The 27-year-old Goulburn man was arrested at a Cronulla hotel, in southern Sydney,
at about 3.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, police said.
Detectives began investigating the matter after a major insurance firm reported that
doctors nominated by the man had "denied treating him or any knowledge of his
reported illness".
The man had allegedly claimed to be suffering from a terminal illness.
"Detectives were also made aware of the man's disguised appearance on a television
news program at the weekend in which he claimed he donated $30,000 from a life
insurance payout to an NRL football club," police said in a statement.
Media reports named the man as Clint Elford, who had claimed to be suffering from
the neurological condition Shy-Drager Syndrome.
He may have used money from the allegedly false insurance claim to pay the Cronulla
Sharks, News Ltd reported.
When asked why he was arrested, the man told the Seven Network: "Because they've
said I frauded (sic) Allianz insurance". He denied the allegation.
Media reports over the past week have said a 27-year-old Sharks fan contacted the
club, offering to donate money from an insurance payout.
Former Cronulla chief executive Tony Zappia is alleged to have had contact with the
man, who wanted to set up a foundation to assist the cash-strapped club.
Zappia met with the Sharks board at Cronulla on Tuesday afternoon.
After the meeting he told reporters he had always acted in the interest of the club
and used the funds for its benefit.
"I acknowledge that I did not inform the board about the foundation or the source of
donations to it," he said, reading from a statement.
"The board is disappointed about this and in hindsight I regret not informing them."
In a statement, the Sharks board said it was angry they were only informed about the
money and the existence of the foundation through media reports.
"Mr Zappia produced records pertaining to the donations and the foundation that he
received and set up," the statement said.
The board's legal team will examine all the information and write a report, which
will be handed on to the NRL and any relevant authorities.
The Seven Network also reported the man had spent all of his payout on donations to
organisations including Oxfam, the Royal Children's Hospital, and $50,000 to the
Waverley lifeguards.
Financial documents, framed football jerseys and Sharks team photos were among items
seized in a raid on the man's Goulburn home on Tuesday afternoon.
"Police are continuing to make inquiries with a number of other major insurance
companies and investigations are ongoing," police said.
The man is being questioned at Miranda station.
