KEY POINTS:
Former Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) boss Craig Ross today pleaded guilty in Tauranga District Court to nine charges of using forged documents.
Community magistrate Robyn Paterson remanded Ross at large until July 25 for sentencing by a District Court judge.
Ross's lawyer Paul Mabey QC said during today's brief hearing that no pre-sentence reports were required.
It has previously been reported that Ross quit as RNZ chief executive in September over documentation that the body said misrepresented the purpose for which funds received from gaming trusts were used.
Paperwork indicated RNZ had purchased New Zealand-made skiffs, when what was bought were overseas-made boats.
Kiwi International Rowing Skiffs (Kirs) were meant to supply the world championship team, according to gaming trust applications.
There was no suggestion Ross personally gained, but that the money received had been used for the sport.
The nine charges relate to funding applications made to Pub Charity, The New Zealand Community Trust, Southern Trust, and The Community First Foundation between June 2005 and July 2007.
The charges allege Ross knowingly used forged documents in the applications to obtain the funding.
Ross had been in the top job for four years, during which time New Zealand re-established itself as a major rowing nation and also won the right to host the 2010 world championships.
At the time of his resignation, Ross said he acknowledged that gaming trusts had strict requirements over how grants were spent and over reporting procedures.
"All funds were, however, used for genuine New Zealand rowing purposes and for the benefit of the sport. Absolutely no personal gain or personal benefit has been obtained."
Prior to his appointment in mid-2003, Ross was the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union acting chief executive and was chief executive of Sport Bay of Plenty for 11 years.
- NZPA
