Sports stars investigated as part of $650,000 gaming fund probe

Former rugby and league stars Brent Todd, Hugh McGahan and Doug Rollerson are part of an investigation into what was done with hundreds of thousands of dollars of gaming machine money intended for amateur rugby, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says.

The DIA's director of gaming and censorship regulation, Keith Manch, told NZPA yesterday they were investigating gaming money intended for the North Harbour Rugby Union (NHRU).

Mr Manch confirmed that Brent Todd, Hugh McGahan and Doug Rollerson's involvement was being investigated.

"We're looking at how gaming money was used and those people are involved in that investigation, or what they were doing is involved in that investigation."

Mr Todd was a long-time Kiwi player and played in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) with the Canberra Raiders.

Hugh McGahan captained the Kiwis and also played in the NRL.

Former NHRU chief executive Doug Rollerson was an All Black from 1976-1981 before switching to play league in the NRL.

Mr Manch could not say what had prompted the DIA to investigate. "The fact that we're investigating doesn't mean that anybody has done anything wrong."

He said it could take up to six months to complete the investigation.

Mr Manch could not say if anybody else was involved in the investigation.

It is understood the money in question was meant for amateur rugby.

The Sunday Star-Times reported that Mr Todd had repaid $650,000 to the NHRU, which was then returned to six gaming societies.

But Mr Todd denied it. "I have no idea what you're talking about - had to pay back money for what?" he told the paper.

He said any gaming money went from the trusts to the NHRU.

Rollerson told the Sunday Star-Times he was aware that money had been repaid to the gaming machine societies.

"You get given funding and if you don't spend it, it's given back. It's that clean."

- NZPA