Home sold after rugby theft
A Christchurch rugby club stalwart’s home was sold $65,000 under rateable value to a friend to help pay off his $200,000 fraud.
It was revealed in February that former Shirley Rugby Football Club (SRFC) chairman Howard Morel paid dozens of club cheques into his own bank account over a two-year period. Morel agreed to sell his $365,000 Mairehau home to cover the debt.
A Terranet property report shows Morel’s home was purchased by Go2 Finance Limited for $300,000 on December 22. The sole director of the company is Morel’s friend and former Shirley Sports Club director Steve Barry.
The house was then listed on Trade Me for sale on February 9. The listing asked for inquiries over $340,000.
‘‘Take advantage of comfortable living and modernised services, add some TLC and profit from what could be an extremely serious proposition,’’ the listing says.
The real estate agent responsible for the listing confirmed on Wednesday the house had sold recently but declined to comment further.
Barry did not return requests for comment about where the profit from the sale went. Morel and Shirley Rugby Club president Roger Smith were also unavailable for comment.
Morel’s $200,000 fraud
Morel, who was the club’s financial controller, admitted the fraud to at least one board member.
The club then asked a private investigator to look into Morel’s fraud.
The investigator looked at the club’s financial records over a two-year period. Morel had been in charge of SRFC’s finances for a number of years prior.
It is understood club representatives stumbled upon the fraud after concerns about junior funds. They questioned Morel and, unhappy with his response, decided to investigate further.
Some members spoken to by The Press believed the club should have pursued police involvement, but SRFC 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’’.
An email to club officials outlined 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‘‘.