Feb 14 2025 -
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...l/news-story/db9617946c86fbdb61d38e11e276083e
An alleged inappropriate touching scandal was a major factor in the breakdown of the Wests Tigers ownership, after a board member was told to “undergo training” over an incident with a young woman.
The split opinions led to a coup at the HBG’s annual general meeting last March, with current chair Julie Romero ousting her predecessor Tony Andreacchio and his deputy Rick Wayde, who were both influential in backing the Wests Tigers’ football review.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that same day, Saturday, March 23, an incident occurred in which HBG board member Vince Tropiano was accused of using a voting paddle to “tap” a woman, before saying to her: “You’ve been a good girl”.
Private emails obtained by this masthead in which a complaint about the incident was initially made claimed the woman had been tapped on the “backside”.
However legal documents referencing the incident, later sent by HBG, stated the woman had been tapped on the “side”, while confirming the “you’ve been a good girl?” comment had been made.
It is understood Mr Tropiano was required to undergo training by a disciplinary committee and removed from a committee he was on, as a result.
That handling of the incident by Ms Romero was criticised at board meetings by other HBG directors.
David Gilbert, the HBG board member who initially made a complaint about the incident with HBG CEO Simon Cook, was sensationally stood-down as a board member in December.
In his email to Mr Cook titled “incident prior to the AGM”, Mr Gilbert outlined how he was talking to a senior HBG executive when that person told him he had just witnessed Mr Tropiano “tap” the woman on the “backside”.
According to the email, the senior executive then immediately approached the woman to check on her wellbeing, asking her “are you ok?” before telling her “that’s not acceptable what just happened to you”.
The minutes of a board meeting from early April, less than a few weeks after the AGM, detail how Mr Wayde and Mr Andreacchio voiced their concerns over the handling of the incident by Mr Romero.
Mr Wayde and Mr Andreacchio, who were aligned with Mr Gilbert in the board split, both raised concerns about how Mr Tropiano was being “protected” by his allies on the board after they referred him to the disciplinary committee.
The minutes of a board meeting on May 28 outline how Ms Romero openly discussed “that there have been some enquiries regarding the complaint (against Mr Tropiano) which was dealt with recently”.
Mr Andreacchio was overthrown at the AGM last March, thanks to Ms Romero having the backing of fellow board members Mr Tropiano, Dennis Burgess and Stephen Montgomery — giving her a majority on the seven-person board.
Montgomery and Burgess are part of the Wests Tigers board.
Apr 30 2025 -
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/mo...-deposed-by-magpies-boss-20250430-p5lvgj.html
Julie Romero, the woman who led a boardroom revolt that split the Holman Barnes Group – the majority owners of the Wests Tigers – was on Tuesday night deposed as chair of the organisation.
Romero was voted out and replaced by Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club chairman Dennis Burgess. Romero will remain on the board.
The ascension of Burgess to the chairman’s position at the HBG – which oversees the cashed-up Wests Ashfield leagues club – will raise eyebrows at the Wests Tigers, a joint-venture club formed through the merging of Balmain and the Western Suburbs.
Burgess allegedly told Wests Tigers director and Balmain chairman Danny Stapleton at a game last year, “We’re bringing back the Wests Magpies”.
That conversation led to Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell raising concerns with ARL Commission chairman boss Peter V’landys.
Romero led a coup in March last year that overthrew Tony Andreacchio from the helm of the HBG board, and also took action against fellow directors Rick Wayde and Dave Gilbert that led to their departures from the board over the summer.
Oct 8 2025 -
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...h/news-story/e85bbbc12275c4157590d797a70965ed
The owners of the Wests Tigers are embroiled in a fresh controversy with former Holman Barnes Group chair Julie Romero becoming the latest board member to be handed a long-term suspension.
Romero – spent 13 months as chair of the Holman Barnes Group before she was deposed as chair in April.
However, her time on the board of the Holman Barnes Group came to an end last month. Romero has been banned for eight years.
“Following a comprehensive and independent investigation, we can confirm Julie Romero was officially excluded from membership of the Holman Barnes Group on September 30 following a serious breach of confidentiality,” a Holman Barnes statement read. “We are grateful for Julie’s contribution to Holman Barnes Group and wish her well.
“In the interest of all parties, we will not be making any further comment.”
Romero was chair of Holman Barnes when they suspended three directors earlier this year. Those directors Rick Wayde, Tony Andreacchio and David Gilbert were sensationally banned on New Year’s Eve.
Wayde has led legal action against his dismissal with the court case ongoing. It is due to be heard again in December.
Wayde was banned for eight years and Andreacchio (six).
Gilbert received a six-month suspension. His ban expired in April but said he had no interest in re-applying for his membership.
Gilbert was told he must front the board and show significant remorse for his actions in order to re-apply. The former Australian cricketer said there was no chance of that occurring.
“I’ve shown no interest in re-joining the club whilst the current regime is in charge,” Gilbert said. “It was a shame when it happened and it’s a shame 12 months later. Hopefully sanity will prevail and we will get some proper governance going at the joint.
“What happened to me was nothing short of scandalous. I was basically ousted because of my friendship and connections to Tony and Rick. What happened to the two of them was disgraceful. “What I have heard has happened to Julie vindicates the madness in that place.
“It would have to be a complete change in the running of the club to ever reconsider.
“I find it very sad. It shouldn’t be like this. It’s all about power I just think some very good people in Rick and Tony have been victimised .
“It’s a great club but at the moment it’s held up for ridicule.”
It is unclear Romero will follow Wayde and Andreacchio in pursuing legal options.
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