Melbourne Storm salary cap breaches total $3.17m since 2006 * From: AAP, Herald Sun
* July 15, 2010 UPDATE 1pm: FIVE managers have been identified by News Limited chairman John Hartigan as the "rats in the ranks" that orchestrated a $3.17m salary cap rort at Melbourne Storm.
Mr Hartigan said the investigation identified five managers who were involved in cheating the system, labelling them "rats in the ranks''.
He named former chief executive Brian Waldron, as well as Matt Hanson, Paul Gregory, Peter O'Sullivan and Cameron Vale.
Mr Hartigan said 13 players - including seven current members of the squad - had received payments or benefits from third parties that fell outside the cap.
He said there was no evidence to suggest the players had known the payments could contribute to the club breaching the salary cap.
The players named were Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Anthony Quinn and Brett White and former players Dallas Johnson, Will Chambers, Mick Crocker, Matt Geyer, Steve Turner and Antonio Kaufusi.
"Regrettably not one of the players agreed to co-operate with the investigation," Mr Hartigan said. "In my view it's totally unacceptable.
"I'm pleased to confirm that (coach) Craig Bellamy did co-operate with News Ltd's investigators.'' He added that Mr Bellamy was unaware of any wrongdoing.
Mr Hartigan said the main method used to conceal extra payments to players was through third party payments, from companies including the Unity Foundation and the McManus Group.
However, he said there was no evidence to suggest these companies knew the payments could contribute to a salary cap breach.
Full article here:http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-rort-report-to-shock-nation-john-hartigan/story-e6frfgbo-1225892035886