RSL employees 'spent $5million of charity funds on watches, dinners, overseas trips and tailored suits costing $5,000'
- The RSL veterans' group is being investigated for misappropriated charity funds
- Forensic auditors Ernst & Young were last year commissioned to conduct audit
- The audit uncovered up to $5million in alleged misappropriated charity dollars
- Investigation is separate to former State RSL president Don Rowe fraud scandal
A forensic police investigation has revealed RSL employees have allegedly spent up to $5million in misappropriated charity funds on luxury watches, dinners and tailored suits costing $5,000.
Forensic auditiors, Ernst & Young were last year called in to go through the organisation's finances after it was alleged there had been financial irregularities.
Several account books were seized during the audit that allegedly contained multiple unspecified payments to various RSL figures, it was reported.
A forensic police investigation has revealed RSL employees have allegedly spent up to $5million in misappropriated charity funds
According to the records, one employee was allegedly paid $30,000 a month for undefined work, while another was given a $45,000 check for no apparent reason, The Herald Sun reported.
Another RSL employee was allegedly paid to have custom-made suits twice a year, while another was reimbursed for filling up his car with petrol twice in the same day.
Among the other big-ticket items listed in the account books were $500 watches, fine dining and weekly trips to both domestic and overseas destinations.
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There were allegedly numerous other promotional cheques given to anonymous people and organisations, as well as countless 'promotional' spends, such as hotel stays.
While several people frequently signed off on expenditure, one colleague would often sign for another - usually with no explanation or description, it is alleged.
Former RSL state president Don Rowe (pictured) has also faced charges for allegedly misusing his corporate credit card
There were also countless 'Ditto' marks throughout the pages to represent the unspecified regular payments paid to former employees.
The investigation is the latest scandal involving the RSL organisation, and it comes after it was revealed the former state president Don Rowe was facing charges for allegedly misusing his corporate credit card.
There have also been allegations of bullying as well as conflicts of interest with outside institutions being investigated.
As a result of the audit, the Australian Federal Police fraud squad in Canberra have launched a formal investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds.
The Australian Federal Police have declined to comment as it is an ongoing investigation.
