‘Orchestrated attack’ on team integrity

AUCKLAND: Team New Zealand manager Grant Dalton says this week there has been a ‘‘highly orchestrated attack’’ on the team’s integrity and credibility from people with ‘‘questionable motives’’.

Team New Zealand has denied claims it mishandled public money, but the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is looking into claims made by an unnamed contractor about financial mismanagement.

Police are also investigating the claims around Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) and its events arm, America’s Cup Events Ltd (Ace).

Investigators are working with overseas authorities to find out more about an alleged Hungarian bank account scam that targeted the sailing syndicate. Attempts have been made to recover the money.

Earlier this week, ETNZ put out a statement saying it had outed ‘‘informants’’ at Ace. The informants’ contracts were terminated.

In a statement released yesterday, Dalton said the allegations were a textbook case of ‘‘intentional reputational damage 101’’.

‘‘It is a deliberate, sinister and highly orchestrated attack which includes anonymous tipoffs, recordings and document leaks.’’

He said the timing of the claims had been ‘‘very well considered’’ to take attention away from Team NZ’s defence of the America’s Cup.

‘‘The reason we have been seriously concerned about the media reporting on the initial, incomplete and now ‘leaked’ report is because it will give competitive advantage to our onwater challengers during this and subsequent campaigns. We have had to take all actions available to protect that information and our competitive position.’’

Dalton emphasised any outcomes from MBIE’s investigation ‘‘can and will be worked through to ensure we deliver a great event and a successful campaign’’.