Fresh Allegations Hit Racing
The Age
Thursday June 26, 2008
VICTORIAN horse racing faces fresh turmoil as its new corruption watchdog is accused of having accepted tens of thousands of dollars from a convicted drug trafficker to do private detective work.
The State Opposition alleged in Parliament that former detective Dayle Brown, chosen last week to head Racing Victoria's integrity services unit, also illegally misused his police ID badge while working for crime figure Paul Pavlovski in the mid-1990s.Opposition racing spokesman Denis Napthine called for a judicial investigation into the allegations, saying Mr Brown's appointment revealed incompetence by Racing Victoria and negligence by Racing Minister Rob Hulls.Dr Napthine said Mr Hulls should order an inquiry into allegations that Mr Brown and a former colleague, while serving Victoria Police officers, "accepted $30,000 from convicted drug dealer Paul Pavlovski to undertake private investigations".He said Mr Brown's work for Pavlovski had involved the new head of racing's integrity services unit "illegally misusing his Victoria Police identification in South Australia".The Age reported on Saturday that Pavlovski, a hotelier and strip-club owner, had paid Mr Brown and another detective to fly to South Australia in September 1994 to track down his wife and children. Although not on police business, they identified themselves as police officers.Mr Brown's involvement was uncovered by the National Crime Authority, which was tracking Pavlovski for drug trafficking offences for which he was later convicted.Mr Brown has told The Age the trip to South Australia was an "error of judgement" that he had disclosed to Racing Victoria before his appointment.He said he had not spoken to Pavlovski, a former friend, since December 1994.Dr Napthine last night said Mr Brown should never have been appointed as head of the integrity services unit."This is a sorry saga of incompetence by Racing Victoria, compounded by negligence and mismanagement by Racing Minister Hulls," he said.Dr Napthine yesterday wrote to acting Judge Gordon Lewis, who is inquiring into the structure of the unit, asking him to broaden his investigation to examine the appointment.In Parliament, Mr Hulls did not specifically endorse Mr Brown, but said he had complete confidence in Racing Victoria. "I have absolute faith in the board of Racing Victoria, and any decisions they make in relation to employment is entirely a matter for them." Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association president David Moodie called for the sacking of Racing Victoria chairman Michael Duffy over Mr Brown's appointment and several other decisions.Mr Moodie said industry leaders agreed that Racing Victoria had failed the industry and needed a shake-up.Questions about Mr Brown's appointment come after The Age reported this month on links between racing figures and alleged organised crime boss Tony Mokbel. Former Racing Victoria chief executive Stephen Allanson resigned in disgrace this year over a betting scandal.
© 2008 The Age
