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Bulldogs official quits over fake email scandal
Article from: The Daily Telegraph
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By Ray Chesterton
February 14, 2008 12:00am
BULLDOGS media boss Chris O'Brien dramatically quit last night after being exposed as the sender of a libellous email under a false name about board member Ray Dib to the media to influence Sunday's club elections.
Confronted by overwhelming evidence of his scandalous ploy and knowing he was about to be exposed by The Daily Telegraph, O'Brien was left with no choice but to resign immediately.
O'Brien sent the emails from his home computer under the name "Ronnie Younis" to The Daily Telegraph and other media organisations. He was unavailable for comment last night.
The email falsely linked Mr Dib to an ICAC inquiry, inferring he was involved in a hearing into bribes being paid to secure building licences.
Mr Dib is now taking legal action against O'Brien and says the email jeopardises his chances of retaining his position at Sunday's election.
It is another explosive chapter of what has become a poisonous election battle between groups of individuals who used to be friends and teammates.
Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad was careful with his words last night but confirmed O'Brien had resigned yesterday, effective immediately.
"From our investigation it seems only one person was involved," he said, "It is very disappointing."
Noad was "absolutely" and "categorically" adamant that no one on the Bulldogs board was involved in the disgrace.
No reason has been advanced for O'Brien's actions.
The evidence against O'Brien became undeniable after Mr Dib spent thousands of dollars to secure evidence that established the original source of the damaging email.
A fuming Mr Dib said last night he had never been contacted by ICAC, had never been asked to give evidence and had not been involved in any of its hearings.
He had been talking about other matters to a friend whose phone was bugged by ICAC.
"I went there (ICAC) as a spectator," he said, "I was never called. That is why this is all so damaging."
Mr Dib said independent forensic testing established that the email was sent from the same home computer that O'Brien uses to send club news to media outlets.
The "same computer . . . was used to send both emails," said the report from Forensic Digital Services.
"I called (Bulldogs) chairman Dr George Peponis and demanded the immediate termination of Mr O'Brien's employment and for a full investigation as to whether any other employee or officer of the Bulldogs is implicated in the smear upon my good character and that of my family," Mr Dib said.
"I have also told my lawyers to immediately commence civil proceedings for damages against those responsible for the false and slanderous email."
The latest upheaval adds to the turmoil at the Bulldogs as they approach an election day rife with venom and name-calling.
Two rival tickets are running for control of the nine-man board with all positions seemingly up for grabs except chairman, where George Peponis is unopposed.
Mr Dib, a financial advisor who employs 50 people, said the stress of the elections was affecting everyone.
"It is taxing on the players and their families and the supporters as well as my own family and staff," he said.
Dib suggested it was time a general truce was called ending the acrimony and making unity a target, especially for the families of the club's former stars the Hughes and the Mortimers.
"It's time to get everyone back under the same banner," he said.
"George Peponis has been outstanding as chairman but he deserves to have the full support of a united board."
Fellow candidate for a place on the Bulldogs board Paul Dunn said Mr Dib had been a hard working member who had brought $1.3m in sponsorship to the club.
Additional reporting Andrew Chesterton
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Article from: The Daily Telegraph
* Font size: Decrease Increase
* Email article: Email
* Print article: Print
By Ray Chesterton
February 14, 2008 12:00am
BULLDOGS media boss Chris O'Brien dramatically quit last night after being exposed as the sender of a libellous email under a false name about board member Ray Dib to the media to influence Sunday's club elections.
Confronted by overwhelming evidence of his scandalous ploy and knowing he was about to be exposed by The Daily Telegraph, O'Brien was left with no choice but to resign immediately.
O'Brien sent the emails from his home computer under the name "Ronnie Younis" to The Daily Telegraph and other media organisations. He was unavailable for comment last night.
The email falsely linked Mr Dib to an ICAC inquiry, inferring he was involved in a hearing into bribes being paid to secure building licences.
Mr Dib is now taking legal action against O'Brien and says the email jeopardises his chances of retaining his position at Sunday's election.
It is another explosive chapter of what has become a poisonous election battle between groups of individuals who used to be friends and teammates.
Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad was careful with his words last night but confirmed O'Brien had resigned yesterday, effective immediately.
"From our investigation it seems only one person was involved," he said, "It is very disappointing."
Noad was "absolutely" and "categorically" adamant that no one on the Bulldogs board was involved in the disgrace.
No reason has been advanced for O'Brien's actions.
The evidence against O'Brien became undeniable after Mr Dib spent thousands of dollars to secure evidence that established the original source of the damaging email.
A fuming Mr Dib said last night he had never been contacted by ICAC, had never been asked to give evidence and had not been involved in any of its hearings.
He had been talking about other matters to a friend whose phone was bugged by ICAC.
"I went there (ICAC) as a spectator," he said, "I was never called. That is why this is all so damaging."
Mr Dib said independent forensic testing established that the email was sent from the same home computer that O'Brien uses to send club news to media outlets.
The "same computer . . . was used to send both emails," said the report from Forensic Digital Services.
"I called (Bulldogs) chairman Dr George Peponis and demanded the immediate termination of Mr O'Brien's employment and for a full investigation as to whether any other employee or officer of the Bulldogs is implicated in the smear upon my good character and that of my family," Mr Dib said.
"I have also told my lawyers to immediately commence civil proceedings for damages against those responsible for the false and slanderous email."
The latest upheaval adds to the turmoil at the Bulldogs as they approach an election day rife with venom and name-calling.
Two rival tickets are running for control of the nine-man board with all positions seemingly up for grabs except chairman, where George Peponis is unopposed.
Mr Dib, a financial advisor who employs 50 people, said the stress of the elections was affecting everyone.
"It is taxing on the players and their families and the supporters as well as my own family and staff," he said.
Dib suggested it was time a general truce was called ending the acrimony and making unity a target, especially for the families of the club's former stars the Hughes and the Mortimers.
"It's time to get everyone back under the same banner," he said.
"George Peponis has been outstanding as chairman but he deserves to have the full support of a united board."
Fellow candidate for a place on the Bulldogs board Paul Dunn said Mr Dib had been a hard working member who had brought $1.3m in sponsorship to the club.
Additional reporting Andrew Chesterton
Source: The Daily Telegraph
