Rod McGeoch demanded answers on unpaid staff during fiery board meeting

The legendary sporting administrator called an emergency meeting at struggling start-up company Inotap, which was owned by convicted fraudster John Issa and is now facing wind-up action

John Issa, convicted fraudster and founder of Inotap, which is now the subject of two separate legal actions. Picture: Supplied

Legendary sporting administrator Rod McGeoch demanded details on unpaid employee wages, during a fiery board meeting at failing Sydney start-up company Inotap.

Mr McGeoch, who was then a director at Inotap, called the emergency meeting in February after receiving information that the company appeared to be in serious financial trouble. Detailed notes from the meeting indicate company owner John Issa told Mr McGeoch that some employees had not been paid for at least four weeks.

In response - Mr McGeoch is noted saying: “John - I need to know that these people are going to be paid. This is very precarious stuff. Board members have a duty to look after their people. I won’t be running away from it, I promise you.”

Legendary sporting administrator Rod McGeoch was heard demanding answers over unpaid wages at Sydney start-up Inotap. Picture: John Appleyard

During another part of the meeting, Mr McGeoch is reported to have said he had “considerable concern” about the revelations due to his position “as future chairman of this organisation.”

Mr McGeoch resigned as a director a few days later. He has told The Daily Telegraph he is owed at least $200,000 in unpaid director fees from Inotap and also personally invested $100,000 into the start-up company.

Former NRL star Anthony Minichiello was also a former director at Inotap but insisted he was “unaware of any official role” and “was not involved in day to day operations.”

Anthony Minichiello was a director at Inotap but claimed he had “no involvement” in day to day operations. Picture: Richard Dobson

Detailed notes from other board meetings at Inotap reveal investors raised concerns about debts possibly amounting to $1 million, made up of legal fees, unpaid invoices, wages and third-party agreements.

The start-up business, which was owned by John Issa, a convicted fraudster who was recently declared bankrupt, is now facing wind-up action in the NSW Supreme Court.

Mr Minichiello and Mr McGeoch are also being sued by a former Inotap employee in a separate legal case.

Both men deny all wrongdoing and claim to have had no knowledge of Mr Issa’s criminal history.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal a number of other Sydney identities have been caught up in the Inotap saga, after being improperly named on the company’s draft official website.

That includes Don Hammond, CEO of Leagues Club Australia, who was wrongly called a company director.

Mr Hammond said while he had provided some initial advice to the company, he had never agreed to be a director of Inotap and had “very little” involvement over the past 6 months.

The Inotap board of directors - John Issa, Anthony Minichiello and Rod McGeoch. Picture: Supplied

Don Hammond and David Gallop were wrongly listed as directors or incoming directors of Inotap. Picture: Supplied

Matthew Miller, the former CEO of the Australian Sports Commission and the NSW Office of Sport was also listed as “Chief Operating Officer - Inotap Group.” Mr Miller said.

“I have had no involvement in the establishment of Inotap.

There were some discussions about me assisting as an interim COO but that never eventuated. I was never COO.”

Former NRL CEO David Gallop was also incorrectly referred to as an “incoming director”, despite never agreeing to join the Inotap board.

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