Hawks racism report author denies fraud allegations, set to commence legal action against newspaper
Hawthorn racism probe author Phil Egan has categorically denied claims he fraudulently obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars from Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative and stated his plans to commence legal action against the Herald Sun.
The Herald Sun first reported on Wednesday afternoon that Egan was the subject of an investigation from Victoria Police detectives that had been running for several months over the fraud claims.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Egan hit back and denied any wrongdoing. He also claimed Victoria Police were yet to contact him throughout the investigation.
Phil Egan, who wrote Hawthorn’s racism report, says ‘dog whistling will in no way diminish or discredit’ the separate AFL investigation. Full statement below pic.twitter.com/vjmlflwYgH
— Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) December 22, 2022
“I categorically deny that I have stolen from the Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative (MVAC) in any way whatsoever. At all times I acted with honesty, integrity and in the best interests of the MVAC,” he wrote.
“The article states the alleged matters occurred more than 10 years ago. But despite the very historical nature of the alleged wrongdoing and the police investigation having been underway for several months, I have not once been contacted by Victoria Police in relation to the allegations.
“I look forward to speaking to Victoria Police and responding to all its questions.”
As for the “slurs” Egan alleges were published about him, he now plans to commence legal action against the newspaper. He added that the allegations will in no way taint the independant investigation examining the claims in his report.
Egan was the author of the report that was handed to Hawthorn and then to the AFL which was leaked by the ABC and includes accounts from former Indigenous players and their partners that allege bullying and intimidation by Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt.
In the original article, the Herald Sun maintains Egan was contacted for comment and added the newspaper was not suggesting the allegations are true.
“As to the Herald Sun article itself, I did not receive a fair and proper opportunity to respond to the allegations prior to it being published. I consider the article to be defamatory and I have instructed my lawyers to commence legal proceedings,” he continued.
“Regardless of these slurs against my name, I am extremely confident that this dog whistling will in no way diminish or discredit the entirely separate and independent investigation commissioned by the AFL and lead by Mr Bernard Quinn KC, with which I have no involvement. To try to dismantle that process by destroying my reputation, I suspect will be as futile as it is outrageous.
“In light of the reported police investigation and pending defamation process I will not be making any further comment at this time.”
The Herald Sun report stated Egan had been accused of masterminding payments from MVAC to contractors who then transferred the funds back to his account. It came at a time when Egan held a senior role at the body.
MVAC is a not-for-profit organisation providing a range of services including childcare, healthcare, housing and aged care for Aboriginal people in the Robinvale area.