Manchester council has launched an investigation and called in the police after allegations were made against its head of corporate technical services, Terry Burke. xZ[o\~_q[`$6A ?$E iWRbi%[y_9+N6 xx|s#L}tYlNWW3T0}q=;q^8^aV9[vs!`JrB],ui]}Xj3*u\_FanE?tj=PL>=-Pe$fLNk4dr)|6c|FmH&zmh)R9OL/KaOO| The reconstruction has been done with a care to appreciate the fans' loyalty through City's long-suffering years and to celebrate the club's heritage and former players in ways no previous Manchester owners ever managed. In 1999, after 14 years on the Dallas City Council, Lipscomb was indicted and convicted on 65 counts of bribery, including . Agriculture Minister Highlights the Importance of Food Security as World Grapples with COVID-19, Financial Institutions Now Allowed To Pay Dividends To Small Shareholders. Seven Logan City Councillors and former mayor Luke Smith had all been charged by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) with fraud relating to former council chief executive Sharon . But anyone expecting City to be kicked out of the Champions League is likely to be disappointed. The UAE authorities' response to the torture allegations, which were raised in court, is to argue that the alleged victims should have reported them to the police. What Der Spiegel's revelations claim to have shown for the first time however is how it was done, and the extent of the alleged deception. Abu Dhabi accused of 'using Manchester City to launder image' There is almost a personification of the values we hold as Abu Dhabi, with the values of the club and the values we would like to stick to. Mubarak is the chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, a strategic government body responsible for advising on Abu Dhabi's international image. It is led by Sir Richard Leese. % Man City: How damaging are the Football Leaks allegations? The major northern football clubs have flourished on pay TV after so much industry collapsed around them but the Premier League's economics are such that clubs, Arsenal in the Emirates Stadium apart, struggle to compete against Manchester United's dominant wealth without a billionaire's backing. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, The family of Manchester City's owner Sheikh Mansour rule Abu Dhabi, the dominant state in the United Arab Emirates. A senior town hall manager has been suspended amid claims of corruption. Others however, may not find it quite so easy to excuse a controversy that is rapidly becoming one of the most serious in the decade of Abu-Dhabi ownership at City, and which threatens to cast a shadow over the dominant force in English football. The Emirati population, which numbers around one million, are still considered by commentators to be largely content, particularly given the country's stability in a Middle East in turmoil and civil war elsewhere. No other individuals at Manchester council are thought to be under suspicion and nobody else has been brought in for questioning, it is understood. As our inquiries at a very early stage, we are not in a position to release any further information., A source added: Were confident we run a clean ship which is why were really pleased that people have been comfortable enough to come forward, meaning an investigation is now taking place., A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: GMP is investigating allegations made about a council officer. In Plain Sight: A Councilman's Corruption - Charlotte Citizen No. The Labour-run council has been at the centre of corruption allegations since its head of regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, was arrested in his fourth-floor office of the Grade II-listed Cunard. Eighteen months ago, the Independent newspaper claimed that City was making millions of pounds from image rights deals, three years after saying they were forfeiting that income to secure a lump sum to help comply with the FFP rules. If they are authentic - (and Der Spiegel insist that their source - purportedly the founder of the Football Leaks whistleblower website - has assured them that he did not hack or steal the documents) - then many will inevitably conclude that they do not reflect well on the club, and raise serious questions over its integrity and its respect for the rules. It is also aware of the hypocrisy that exists in football, mindful of the fact that Real Madrid was one of seven Spanish clubs ordered to repay tens of millions of euros of state aid in 2016 after the European Commission ruled that preferential loans to the clubs and deals on tax and property constituted illegal government help. At the first court hearing on 4 March 2013 in Abu Dhabi, Amnesty and HRW reported that several defendants told the judge they had been "seriously ill-treated during months in detention". Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Pastor and . Kavanagh, his former regeneration chief, has said he had always acted within the rules and would defend his innocence. In March 2011, five Emiratis posted a petition addressed to Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE president. Then, on Thursday, Alexander Sittenfeld became the third member of the City Council charged with corruption when he was arrested at home and charged with taking $40,000 in bribes while. Another landmark of Mancunian pride is the city's struggle for workers' rights, the first meeting of the Trades Union Congress having been held in Manchester in 1868. How all this strife and struggle over the rulers by birth of a complex, faraway country ended up washing into the fabric of Manchester City is a story of our times. Sheikh Mansour's money is now building a 140m training campus on 80 acres of largely derelict land, the most significant private business investment into east Manchester for years. The accounts tallied with previous allegations of torture that HRW had reported in September, along with the alleged disappearance of one of the 94, Ahmed alSuweidi. The government has repeatedly acknowledged the criticisms, and says: "Sweeping reforms aimed at improving working conditions and worker rights reflect the UAE's commitment to treat all guest workers with dignity and respect.". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He was also found guilty of two other counts. Mr Burnham said Greater Manchester was "immeasurably stronger" and Sir Richard had "been at the heart of that". That is why the NIA boss is calling for other corruption cases like the Petrojam matter, to be brought swiftly before the courts. Der Spiegel should be applauded for its brilliant and important journalism. Former Councilmen Jose Huizar and Mark Ridley-Thomas face criminal charges for racketeering and bribery, respectively. Scousers have got long memories, said one council insider. stream We have known since 2014, when City reluctantly accepted a settlement with Uefa that included a 49m fine (two-thirds of which was suspended and avoided) along with restrictions on their European. In November, David Cameron flew to Dubai, seeking to persuade the UAE government to buy 60 Typhoon fighters from UK companies in a deal reckoned to be worth 3bn. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. This despite the club earning praise for the way it has invested 1.45bn of Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth since Sheikh Mansour's takeover in 2008, achieving an annual profit in each of the past four years of accounts, developing a respected youth system, and regenerating parts of east Manchester. We have known since 2014, when City reluctantly accepted a settlement with Uefa that included a 49m fine (two-thirds of which was suspended and avoided) along with restrictions on their European squad and incoming transfers, that the club were found to have breached the FFP rules. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Creating a new men's skincare product leads to a sticky situation in Lord Sugar's boardroom With their team the reigning Premier League champions, top of the league, and known for playing some of the best football that the English game has seen, most City supporters will refuse to allow, allegations that their club deceived Uefa. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. Elected officials in Detroit face a widening federal public corruption t was a devastating indictment of one of Britains most powerful councils: a rotten culture of dubious contracts and backroom bullying, where staff were silenced and official records dumped in skips. Everybody will be lifted up if we all aim for equality: Hundreds line the streets in the city centre for Manchester's annual Walk for Women, The march is one of many taking place across the UK for International Women's Day, Emotional scenes at Etihad as Man City fans and Phil Foden pay tribute to tragic Milly-Rose, 6, who died suddenly, The emotional display happened during the sixth minute of Manchester City vs Newcastle, 'We ditched our corporate jobs for life on a narrowboat with our baby - we've never been happier', Despite earning a sixth of their previous income, Joanna and Victor Gould are loving the slower pace of life, We took Jay Rayner for lunch at one his favourite Manchester restaurants - heres what he had to say about the citys food, We sat down for lunch with the acclaimed food critic ahead of his show 'Jazz Up the 80s with the Jay Rayner Sextet' at Manchester's Albert Hall, 'School banned my business when I was 12. You can agree with the principle of FFP or reject it. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The investigation escalated in December with the arrest of Joe Anderson, the councils figurehead for 12 years, alongside four other men including Derek Hatton, the 72-year-old leftwing firebrand who ran Liverpool three decades ago. This is being done in line with the councils standard procedures. CINCINNATI Just hours after a third member of Cincinnati City Council was arrested Thursday by federal agents on public corruption charges in a single year, Mayor John Cranley said it's time . Pastor, who says he is innocent and refuses to quit council, is charged with 10 felony counts, including bribery, extortion, money laundering and wire fraud in two pay-to-play schemes. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Mr Burke, from Worsley, Salford, was suspended from his post at the start of July. Currently the council is controlled by the Labour Party. In 2022, Tauna copped the Press Association of Jamaica 2021 Opinion Journalist of the Year award. Whistleblowing - Manchester City Council As reported in the M.E.N. There is absolutely no suggestion that GB Building Solutions are complicit in any way. Since then, Sir Richard has also been involved in the response to the coronavirus pandemic and was a critic of the government's handling of regional lockdowns last autumn. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. "It is a very difficult and ugly feeling when you cannot express yourself because you are in fear of being arrested. "It has been an enormous privilege to serve the people of Manchester over this period of time and my heartfelt thanks goes to the thousands of people who have worked with us over the last 25 years.". The. Manchester City are under investigation for alleged financial fair play breaches The inquest began in 2018 when Football Leaks exposed alleged wrongdoings The hacker involved in the leak is. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A look back at highlights from two Dallas City Council corruption cases. While being found not guilty in relation to the ownership of his home, Elliot was found guilty of four other counts of possession of criminal property. A council spokesman said: We are carrying out an internal investigation into allegations made about a council officer. PDF Manchester City Council Report for Information What Der Spiegel's revelations claim to have shown for the first time however is how it was done, and the extent of the alleged deception. The UAE authorities have maintained there was due process and a fair trial. They have grown accustomed to the suggestion that owner Sheikh Mansour's spending spree over the past 10 years has devalued their on-field achievements and enabled them to buy success. The defendants, who include lawyers, teachers and academics, say this was a crackdown by an increasingly authoritarian state, after they voiced valid criticisms of the regime, calling for more democracy and freedom of speech. Sibblies has also been found guilty of conspiracy to defraud. Many therefore, will be dismissing the current scrutiny - and the criticism it has sparked - as the latest manifestation of jealousy and hypocrisy, and some will no doubt have jeered the Champions League anthem even louder than usual in defiance. That does not suggest a governing body that is too bothered about getting tough. 65,550 - 70,785 per annum. I took it online and made 25k', Jasmine Shum turned to Instagram after she was banned from selling her creations in the playground, How well do you really know Greater Manchester? But I feel I must talk. The petition expressed profound respect for Khalifa and the Federal Supreme Council, the law-making organ of state run by the seven emirates' ruling families. In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Sir Richard said he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren, adding: "I don't want to do 60-hour weeks and 12-hour days.". Sign up to the MySalford newsletter to keep up with what's happening in and around the city. 5'(4I'zh4,l+!{E9. The political fallout, however, may only just have begun. Quite the opposite. Anwar Gargash, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, has rejected critics of the regime, arguing they do not give enough credit for the UAE's achievements, including the "secure and stable livelihood" the UAE enables its residents to have in a trouble-torn region. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. I must admit - Nicky Butt concedes he was wrong about Manchester United hero Casemiro. Hatton has not commented on his arrest. This is not to say that we should not care of course, or that the media should stop asking tough questions. ", On 17 July, Katherine Dine, a British government official, wrote to Rori Donaghy, campaign manager at the UK-based Emirates Centre for Human Rights, which is pressing the case of the convicted. Man United were heavily linked with a move for Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo prior to his move to Liverpool in January. I must admit - Nicky Butt concedes he was wrong about Manchester United hero Casemiro. "There is insufficient evidence that a multiparty system works in the Arab world," Gargashsaid. It made me cry when I read the report, said Jayne Casey, one of the citys most influential cultural figures. GB Building Solutions has launched its own investigation after Manchester council. "Therefore anyone can resort to the public authorities to report assault, request protection, or claim compensation and ensure that any person committing any offence or felony is punished under law.". Home. The 48-year-old outlined he had concerns upon Casemiro's arrival but the Man United ace has since quelled his fears. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Last updated on 7 November 20187 November 2018.From the section Football. The Premier League rejected that proposal but says it does ask the government about owners and will have been told that the UAE is a trusted ally. Its seismic, said one town hall source. HRW argues that is not matched by the reality and points to continuing reports of construction workers being deported after going on strike over low pay and dreadful working conditions on projects in the UAE. A club transformed by lavish investment in part to promote the emirate of Abu Dhabi on the world stage is damaged by deceptions in the. The Presiding Parish Judge says in relation to Sibblies, evidence led by the Crown showed that he conspired with Elliot in the fraud scheme. They pointed out that the system allowed for a club like Manchester United to be saddled with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt and interest repayments by its Florida-based owners the Glazers - who also take tens of millions out of the club for themselves each year - yet punished City. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The UAE authorities argue it was not the petition itself that led to those posting it being arrested but the continued criticism with which they followed it up. Mayor and City Council react to third corruption arrest - WCPO Opinion: Has the stronger mayor system influenced corruption at City Hall? "I, with another person, initiated the petition, then I was subjected to a smear campaign, arrested for comments deemed to be insulting to the president, and put in jail," he said. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "To the critics of the approach, we say that it enjoys the support of the majority of our citizens," Gargash said. In addition to Bokhari, Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt, Councilman James Mitchell, and Councilman Dimple Ajmera sat on the committee. 2:16. Let's Clean Up Dallas City Hall - D Magazine Welcome to our Facebook page. Bev Craig has been elected as the new leader of Manchester City Council, becoming the local authority's first female chief. Professor Munroe says hes confident that todays verdict will have a positive impact on Jamaicas standing on the Corruption Perception Index. Given their cultural influence and importance to their communities, it is absolutely right that big clubs like City are held to account. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. He added: "A quarter of a century on the frontline of politics is tough. Football's complex balance of power, politics and money may be approaching a tipping point. A massive fraud scheme spanning some three years at the Manchester Municipal Corporation has this afternoon resulted in the conviction of 5 persons including former local government officials. Council bosses handed a file to police after the allegations surfaced last year. Everybody will be lifted up if we all aim for equality: Hundreds line the streets in the city centre for Manchester's annual Walk for Women, The march is one of many taking place across the UK for International Women's Day, Emotional scenes at Etihad as Man City fans and Phil Foden pay tribute to tragic Milly-Rose, 6, who died suddenly, The emotional display happened during the sixth minute of Manchester City vs Newcastle, 'We ditched our corporate jobs for life on a narrowboat with our baby - we've never been happier', Despite earning a sixth of their previous income, Joanna and Victor Gould are loving the slower pace of life, We took Jay Rayner for lunch at one his favourite Manchester restaurants - heres what he had to say about the citys food, We sat down for lunch with the acclaimed food critic ahead of his show 'Jazz Up the 80s with the Jay Rayner Sextet' at Manchester's Albert Hall, 'School banned my business when I was 12. Whistleblowing - Manchester City Council Whistleblowing This form has a maximum of 4 pages Use this form to report any serious concerns you have about malpractice or wrongdoing in the. Three former officials at the Manchester Municipal Corporation and two of their co-accused have been convicted for their roles in a fraud scheme that fleeced the local government authority approximately $400 million. Wednesday's indictment of Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas makes him the third current or former L.A. councilmember to face . While Arsenal, United and Chelsea are nearing the start of this Premier League season still publicly talking about bids for big-name players, City have quietly spent 87m on four stars for the new manager, Manuel Pellegrini. Mansour is among the most powerful group in Abu Dhabi with the crown prince Sheikh Mohammed and their other "full" brothers by Sheikha Fatima, one of the six wives married to the former ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. La Liga's condemnation of City and PSG will therefore be viewed in that context. It is unlikely that many of the Manchester City fans who attended the club's match against Shakhtar Donetsk will have been too concerned about a third day of revelations and leaked emails published by German news magazine Der Spiegel. Audit and Risk Management. Man United were heavily linked with a move for Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo prior to his move to Liverpool in January. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The British barrister Baroness Kennedy, co-chair of IBAHRI, said: "Disturbing reports of an increasing catalogue of detention, deportation, intimidation and harassment of lawyers by the UAE authorities is creating a climate of fear among the legal profession seriously undermining the rule of law in the country.". Kulaib was arrested in December and, according to HRW and Amnesty, held incommunicado for five months, during which time he alleged he was held in solitary confinement, subjected to extremes of temperature and sleep deprivation, suspended by his legs from an iron rod and severely beaten by officers, including having his hand sliced open with a razorblade. She will take over from Sir Richard Leese, who is standing down after 25 . Its city council is composed of 96 councillors, three for each of the 32 electoral wards of Manchester. Something went wrong, please try again later. Littleborough community choir, Chorley Old Road closed after car crashes into electrical box, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. Beth Abbit, editor of the M.E.N's Mancunian Way newsletter, puts readers to the test, Tragedy as woman, 31, dies on way home from work as nightclub shot girl, Kelsey Stuttard, from Cheadle, suffered catastrophic injuries in the 3am smash, 'Hold my hands up' - Graeme Souness admits he got it wrong about Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez, The Argentinian was picked apart following defeat at Brentford but has since been a revelation in red, 'I witnessed my first murder aged 11 and I was stabbed and left for dead - now I fight gang culture', Mark, from Moss Side, became a victim himself after leaving prison for armed robbery. Beth Abbit, editor of the M.E.N's Mancunian Way newsletter, puts readers to the test, Tragedy as woman, 31, dies on way home from work as nightclub shot girl, Kelsey Stuttard, from Cheadle, suffered catastrophic injuries in the 3am smash, 'Hold my hands up' - Graeme Souness admits he got it wrong about Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez, The Argentinian was picked apart following defeat at Brentford but has since been a revelation in red, 'I witnessed my first murder aged 11 and I was stabbed and left for dead - now I fight gang culture', Mark, from Moss Side, became a victim himself after leaving prison for armed robbery. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Read about our approach to external linking. No arrests have been made and officers are working closely with Manchester council.. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have vehemently protested against the mass arrest of 94 people, their alleged torture while in Abu Dhabi jails, a "fundamentally unfair" trial, and long prison sentences with no right of appeal handed down earlier this month to the 69 people convicted. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Sheikh Khalifa, Zayed's oldest son, one of Mansour's half-brothers by a different wife, is the UAE president, said to be ailing in health. Uefa are understood to be wary of the threat of a legal challenge by clubs with the resources of City and PSG, and reluctant to weaken their competitions by excluding some of the world's best players. "His oversight of the transformation of our city - in so many different ways - leaves a huge and powerful legacy that will be unmatched for a very, very long time. Liverpool council may have squandered up to 100m of public money, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The 94 were tried on charges of plotting to overthrow the UAE government, which remains adamant this was proven against the 69 convicted. The remaining three submitted theirs throughout Tuesday. Analysis: Why The 'Culture Of Corruption' At Cincinnati City Hall? Meanwhile, in handing down her judgement, Judge Grainger found Elliot guilty of 17 of the 25 counts brought by the Crown. However, Parkinson said the city was not back in the dark days of the 1980s but was under the leadership of a new chief executive, Tony Reeves, who was singled out for praise by the governments inspection team. over financial fair play (FFP) rules to detract from pride in their club. Amnesty said the trial showed "a deeply flawed judicial system" at odds with the "global image the UAE likes to project of itself as an efficient, forward-thinking country, which in many ways it is". He did not respond when contacted by the M.E.N but is said to be challenging the decision. Report of: Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer / Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management Summary It is the role of the Audit Committee "to obtain assurance over the Council's corporate governance and risk management arrangements, the control environment and associated anti-fraud and anti-corruption arrangements". Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Sir Richard Leese, who will leave the post on 1 December, said the decision reflected his "personal priorities for the next few years". Terry Burke. His wife, Tasha-Gaye Golbourne Elliot was found guilty of two counts. It is believed questions were raised over Mr Burkes dealings with subcontractors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. New heat on Man City in cash cheat probe as Football Leaks hacker set Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The investigation centres on whether or not Mr Burke, from Worsley, Salford, profited from deals done by the council. Corruption watchdog targets council, transport staff - One News Page Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said his Labour colleague was "an inspiration" who had "shown incredible leadership" and always "put Manchester first". Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Several were given severe sentences, including the lawyers Mohamed al-Roken and Mohamed al-Mansoori, both sent to prison for 10 years. It is understood he was dismissed on September 12 for gross misconduct after a number of serious disciplinary matters came to light during the investigation.