Rugby club stalwart to sell house after money goes missing
A Christchurch rugby club stalwart’s $200,000 fraud was discovered by club volunteers concerned about where junior subs were being spent.
Former Shirley Rugby Football Club chairman Howard Morel, who has agreed to sell his $365,000 Mairehau home to repay the debt, last year admitted to at least one board member that he had stolen the money.
Morel, who was the club’s financial controller, paid dozens of club cheques into his own bank account over a two-year period.
It appears Morel may have spent some of the money on several overseas trips, including one to Hawaii. He was also part of a racehorse syndicate despite having no obvious income.
‘‘A number of members were concerned about where he was getting his money from. No-one knows what he did for a job,’’ a source said.
Fairfax Media understands club representatives stumbled upon the fraud after concerns about junior funds. They questioned Morel and, unhappy with his response, decided to investigate further.
The source said the representativeswent to police with a number of recovered cheques but an officer working on the front counter of the Christchurch central station said the evidence was inadequate.
Fairfax Media understands the club then asked a private investigator to look into Morel’s fraud. The investigator looked at the club’s financial records over a twoyear period. Morel had been in charge of the club’s finances for a number of years prior to that.
Some members spoken to by Fairfax Media believed the club should have pursued police involvement, but club fundraising committee member Bob Clarke said the board did not do so as it wanted the money repaid and if police were involved ‘‘we wouldn’t get a cent’’.
Massey law professor deputy pro vice-chancellor Chris Gallavin said police could launch an investigation into the fraud, but it was unlikely they would do so without a complaint.
‘‘It is not that they need a complaint – they do not – but unless more [evidence] is expressly brought to their attention, then they may feel that there is insufficient indication of criminal offending to start an investigation.
‘‘However, the more public attention there is and if more information comes out, the police may take a proactive stance and investigate despite not having a complaint from the club.’’
A spokeswoman said police had no involvement in the matter.
‘‘It will be a civil case, not a criminal case, if the parties have agreed among themselves to resolve the issue. Obviously this doesn’t apply in all situations, but disputes over property, etc are generally considered civil matters.’’
An email to club officials read by Fairfax Media outlines a plan to keep the repayment deal involving Morel’s home quiet. The email states that if the ‘‘party line is held and held firm then anything beyond that will be pure speculation and unlikely to grow any legs or be of any real interest to The Press‘‘.
Morel has also resigned from his positions at Canterbury Cricket and the East Christchurch-shirley Cricket Club. – Fairfax NZ
"It will be a civil case, not a criminal case, if the parties have agreed amongst themselves to resolve the issue.'' Police spokeswoman