Hawks racism report author Phil Egan denies fraud claims

The author of the Hawthorn racism report says he “categorically denies” stealing from a body set up to help Indigenous communities.

The author of the Hawthorn racism report says he “categorically denies” stealing from a body set up to help Indigenous communities.

The author of the Hawthorn racism report says he “categorically denies” stealing from a body set up to help Indigenous communities.

Victoria Police detectives are investigating former Richmond forward Phil Egan amid claims he fraudulently obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars from Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative, including through a bogus invoices scheme.

But Egan on Thursday stated: “I categorically deny that I have stolen from the Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative in any way whatsoever. At all times I acted with honesty, integrity and in the best interests of the MVAC.

“Despite the very historical nature of the alleged wrongdoing and the police investigation having been underway for several months, I have not once been contacted by Victoria Police in relation to the allegations. I look forward to speaking to Victoria Police and responding to all its questions.”

Detectives have been investigating former Richmond forward Phil Egan for several months over claims he fraudulently obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Egan’s Hawthorn report rocked the football world when it was leaked in September, as it concluded that between 2010 and 2016, Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt used “bullying and intimidation” against Indigenous players and their partners, two of whom had been pregnant and lost their unborn children during the “traumatic events”.

It described some incidents as so serious as “to amount to human rights abuses”, triggering Clarkson and Fagan to temporarily stand down from their senior coach roles at North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions respectively, despite both categorically denying any wrongdoing.

Referring to a Herald Sun article which this week revealed Egan was now being investigated by police, he said: “Regardless of these slurs against my name, I am extremely confident that this dog whistling will in no way diminish or discredit the entirely separate and independent investigation commissioned by the AFL and led by Mr Bernard Quinn KC, with which I have no involvement.”

The Herald Sun has not suggested the allegations against Egan are true, only that they are being investigated.