Neath Rugby boss Geraint Hawkes: Fraud arrest is "nothing to worry about"

The  co-owner of Neath Rugby Club has posted a message on the club’s website advising supporters that his arrest over allegations of fraud and money-laundering is “nothing to be worried about”.

Geraint Hawkes, 47, was arrested on Wednesday

together with an unnamed accountant.

The pair were questioned for hours before being released on police bail until early September.

A statement issued by police said: “As part of an ongoing complex fraud investigation officers from the Wales Regional Asset Recovery Team, supported by officers from the National Crime Agency, have executed warrants at a number of addresses in the South Wales area, including at Neath Rugby Football Club.

“Two men, a 47-year-old and a 44-year-old from the Swansea area, have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.

“A 73-year-old female is also assisting officers with their inquiries.”

The 73-year-old is understood to be Mr Hawkes’ mother, Janis Hawkes.

Mr Hawkes, who lives in Swansea, posted a message which said: “Further to recent reports I can confirm that I am currently assisting the police with their inquiries in relation to matters involving Barclays Bank and Grant Thornton.

“As this is an ongoing investigation I cannot comment further on the subject.

“This inquiry in no way affects Neath Rugby Ltd and the day-to-day role that I play in running it.

“The club’s wellbeing has always been my priority and this will continue.

“Please accept my sincere apologies if this unfortunate incident, which has been grossly misreported, has caused any undue concern, but there is nothing to be worried about.”

Last November Mr Hawkes posted an open letter on the Neath RFC’s website and insisted the Welsh All Blacks were not in financial trouble.

The message read: “Recent allegations that have been made against me personally are simply unfounded and I intend proving this.”

Mr Hawkes led a consortium of businessmen which bought Neath Rugby Club in 2003.

He later had a spectacular falling out with Ospreys director Mike Cuddy, leading to a multi-million-pound court case which ended in December 2007 with both sides claiming victory.

The two millionaires were locked in a legal wrangle over who

controlled Neath and who should represent them on the Ospreys board.

The case saw Mr Hawkes attempt to force Mr Cuddy to sell his 50% share in Neath, which would have seen him relinquish his role as a joint director of the Ospreys.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Mr Justice Lewis confirmed both Mr Cuddy’s share in Neath and his directorship of the high-profile Ospreys.

It was also ruled Neath and Swansea RFC would appoint an extra director to the Ospreys board, while Mr Hawkes would gain full control of the Neath board.

In May 2012 Neath Rugby Club escaped a winding-up order at the High Court in London after a dispute over unpaid tax. A registrar dismissed an order at the request of lawyers for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs after it accepted its debts had been paid.

That March Mr Hawkes said the club’s outstanding liabilities would be met in full to head-off being wound up.

Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/irfu-hit-by-26m-shortfall-in-expected-earnings-from-five-and-10-year-tickets-1.1469464

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Neath Rugby boss Geraint Hawkes: Fraud arrest is "nothing to worry about"