Moonee Valley councillors raided in integrity probe involving soccer club

The anti-corruption watchdog has seized the phones of four councillors in Melbourne’s inner north-west as part of an investigation into their relationship with a local soccer club.

Investigators from the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) last week raided the homes of Moonee Valley councillors Cam Nation, Narelle Sharpe and Jacob Bettio.

City of Moonee Valley Council chambers in Moonee Ponds.

A fourth councillor, deputy mayor Samantha Byrne, also arranged to meet IBAC at another location and handed over her phone this week.

Two councillors, Nation and Byrne, confirmed to The Age that they had spoken with investigators, provided their devices and were co-operating.

Eight other people with knowledge of the investigation, unable to speak publicly, also confirmed details of the probe that relates to Essendon Royals Soccer Club’s use of local land.

The Essendon Royals confirmed that investigators had visited the home of a club representative last week.

The investigation is in the very early stages and may not amount to any charges. The Age does not suggest any of the councillors or club members have acted improperly.

Nation confirmed in a statement he received two calls from an IBAC officer “in regards to them attending my property to obtain any devices relating to Moonee Valley City Council”.

“These devices were provided to IBAC as requested with passcodes and passwords supplied, and have already been returned into my possession,” Nation said.

“I’m not sure if my experience was the same as the other councillors, but it was a fairly straightforward process of IBAC officers attending my property, me supplying the devices requested relating to Moonee Valley City Council, with the IBAC officer then texting at a later stage to advise [the devices] could be picked back up.

“IBAC have not advised of the specific details or extent of the investigation they are conducting, other than the reference to the organisation it is focused on. But I was willing, and am willing, to comply and assist with the process and any investigation where needed.”

Byrne told The Age she had done nothing wrong and could not understand what the probe was centred on.

“I’ve been on council for seven years now, and I’m always happy to tell the truth to whoever asked,” she said. “I don’t have anything to hide, and I don’t believe any other councillor has either.”

Byrne confirmed that she agreed to meet IBAC representatives away from her home on Monday, that she received a witness summons at the meeting and agreed to hand over her phone.

“I was just asked if I was happy to hand over my phone and I obliged, and then I told them I was happy to talk with them about anything and I said, ‘I don’t know what you’re looking into, but if there’s anything I can do to assist I will’.”

Data from the councillor’s phone was copied, and it was returned to her. Since then, the councillor has had “three or four” further conversations with the watchdog.

“No one wants any form of corruption from any representatives [at council]. I haven’t seen any kind of corruption within the council in relation to the Royals or soccer.”

Bettio declined to comment when approached. Sharpe did not respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for the Essendon Royals said the club was unaware of the specific allegation.

Essendon Royals Soccer Club.

“Essendon Royals are a community sporting club reliant on council support for facilities and funding. Essendon Royals engage with council on behalf of our 900 players to ensure the club can remain competitive and serve the community as it has for over 60 years,” the spokesman said.

“With over 900 players registered in our club program Essendon Royals continue to push for the equitable allocation of resources and funding from council to support our growing club.”

The sports club has for years raised concerns it was unable to cater for burgeoning soccer demand in the area.

The Royals later issued another statement saying it was “actively assisting IBAC to aid their inquiry and will continue to do so in any way possible”.

“The seriousness with which we regard this investigation cannot be overstated,” it said.

“While the IBAC investigation remains ongoing, the club will refrain from providing further comment.”

A Moonee Valley spokesperson said the council had “been made aware of a current IBAC investigation”, but that it “would not be appropriate for council to make further comment at this time”.

A spokeswoman from the anti-corruption commission said: “As a matter of practice, IBAC does not comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it.”

According to IBAC’s legislated powers, to start an investigation into public sector corruption, IBAC needs to reasonably suspect corrupt conduct has occurred, which means conduct that would constitute a relevant offence.

Once an investigation is underway, the body can issue witness summons that compel people to answer questions, provide documents or other items to IBAC. They may also hold public or private hearings and seek and execute search warrants to enter premises and seize documents.

A government spokeswoman said IBAC was an independent agency and Local Government Minister Melissa Horne did not have any details of its investigations.

Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here.