Bugging claim denied Police allege device planted by All Blacks security man
AN All Blacks security guard has pleaded not guilty to making up claims he found a bugging device in the New Zealand rugby team’s Sydney hotel last year.
Court documents show police allege Gold Coaster Adrian Gard lied to officers when he said he found the illegal bug “secreted in a chair situated in the All Blacks’ meeting room” at the InterContinental in Double Bay on the eve of the August 20 Test match against Australia.
Police will allege Gard planted the bug himself and then “found” it.
Gard, 51, of Gold Coastbased company BGI Security, appeared in Waverley Local Court yesterday charged with one count of false misrepresentation resulting in a police investigation and entered a plea of not guilty.
His lawyer, Simon Joyner, requested the next hearing be held when All Blacks management and their coach were in Australia. Outside court, Joyner reiterated that Gard will fight the charges.
“He has participated with the police investigation and he respects the All Blacks and what they represent,” Mr Joyner said.
Gard made no comment. After Gard was charged earlier this year, Mr Hansen said he was a trusted and well respected member of the team, describing the charge as “bizarre and unbelievable”.
Gard has worked for leading public figures including former US President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and golfer Tiger Woods. He has been involved with the All Blacks security for 10 years.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver has previously stressed the Wallabies were never accused of any wrongdoing. It took five days for NZRU to come forward about the incident and the Wallabies were angered by the distraction. The All Blacks won the Test, 42-8.
Gard’s matter is scheduled to return to court on May 2.