Chrysler Detroit Investigating Former Chrysler Australia CEO Australia's Expense Account.

[csv8]

"The lavish spending of former Fiat Chrysler Australia bosses Clyde Campbell and Veronica Johns included buying designer handbags costing thousands of dollars for members of staff.

Fairfax Media can reveal a number of staff members were gifted Louis Vuitton handbags after Ms Johns attended an event at the company's store at Crown Melbourne.

According to internal Fiat Chrysler Australia documents, Ms Johns ran up an $11,000 bill during one stay at Crown Towers, including multiple treatment sessions at Crown's luxurious spa facility. That bill was charged back to Fiat Chrysler. Ms Johns and her husband, Gregory Hede, live in Melbourne.

Other expenditure included a budget of $500,000 authorised by Ms Johns and Mr Campbell to fund a Fiat Abarth racing team to compete at the Bathurst 12-hour race last year. The venture ended up costing Fiat Chrysler more than $800,000.

Mr Campbell and Mr Hede competed as race drivers. Fiat Chrysler is believed to have paid the cost of training for Mr Campbell and Mr Hede to obtain their racing licences.

Under Mr Campbell and Ms Johns, Fiat also spent an estimated $1 million at Crown Palladium each December on a staff Christmas party.

Fiat Chrysler booked an estimated 100 rooms and suites at both Crown Towers and Crown Promenade hotels for staff and their partners, brand ambassadors and selected media for that party.

"The spending was out of control," said one former staff member. "And anyone who questioned it was shown the door."

Last week Fairfax Media revealed that Fiat Chrysler Australia is suing Mr Campbell, who has been accused of misappropriating and misusing more than $30 million in company money to fund an extravagant lifestyle for his family and business associates.

The allegations made in a Federal Court lawsuit filed by Fiat Chrysler also include claims directly or indirectly used to pay for a $400,000 yacht, a plane, trips to New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, a golf and spa holiday in New Zealand, luxury villas in Crown Casino, Victorian Racing Club memberships worth $244,800, and more than $380,000 in gift vouchers.

Since then, further details of the lavish expenditure has emerged from a forensic examination of Fiat Chrysler's accounts.

A audit team has been flown in from Fiat Chrysler head office in Detroit to run the examination of the company's books

"They are sitting in a separate part of the office and have absolutely no day-to-day dealings with the staff," said one member of the Fiat Chrysler team based at the Port Melbourne headquarters. "Every once in a while we have to answer questions from them, but it's otherwise an independent investigation."

Solicitor Sam Bond said Mr Campbell's position was that "the allegations in the statement of claim are not only completely denied but considered scandalous".

"We are confident that, in due course, the allegations will be shown to be wrong and will be embarrassing for FCA," Mr Bond.

"The fact that internal politics within FCA has caused it to want to tarnish the name of Mr Campbell who took the business to enormous levels of growth is as unfortunate as it is unfair."

Ms Johns has not responded to questions from Fairfax Media."
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/busi...29-ghcotf.html

[mik]

Here for a good time ....... not a long time ???

[Sabantien]

Wish I had a job there. Million dollar parties? We don't even get tea bags at work.

[Iggle Piggle]

I know of a profession where you might get tea-bagged at work and it pays quite well too.

Oh, sorry...just re-read your post - carry on.

Sounds like obscene abuse of their expense accounts given what they detailed is probably only some of their extravagant spending.

[XR5]

Hence why a yank is now in charge of FCA Australia. At least he wants to give us the Ram 1500, charger and challenger. If these pair of numpties hadn't been going to town on handbags and ridiculous expenses and spent some time fighting Detroit for product like this new bloke is we may have already had those cars a long time ago.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Why did it take so long for then to be caught? The figures they are throwing around are huge!

Greedy....

[XD 351 Ute]

Seems excessive..........

Ed

[Wretched]

Interesting, I'd expected this a long time ago. From what I have seen and heard I am really surprised it took so long.

[CyberWasp]

He was really on a crusade to buy things needed to reopen a factory in Australia to start producing Valiants again.

[csv8]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/techno...-1227377197104
More executives to be charged...

[Franco Cozzo]

As long as he didn't spend any company $$$ on prostitutes its all good bro

Sounded alright to be working for him, $1,000,000 company christmas party, we were lucky if we got a BBQ.

Quick! Blame unions the greedy fn bastards want a CPI increase! ITS ALL THEIR FAULT!

[cheap]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

As long as he didn't spend any company $$$ on prostitutes its all good bro

Sounded alright to be working for him, $1,000,000 company christmas party, we were lucky if we got a BBQ.

Quick! Blame unions the greedy fn bastards want a CPI increase! ITS ALL THEIR FAULT!

I'm waiting for various union officials, many with their snouts already in the trough, to use this and incite more class warfare. But you're not a union offical, are you?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by cheap

I'm waiting for various union officials, many with their snouts already in the trough, to use this and incite more class warfare. But you're not a union offical, are you?

I was a shop steward at one stage, I'm a member of the ALP and the president of the local sub branch.

So close enough on the guess.

Hows your royal comission going that hasn't convicted anyone of anything?

[MercurySilver]

someone from each walk of life will have a snout in a trough
its probability
but lets single out nasty unions that have done nothing for no body over the years

[cheap]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I was a shop steward at one stage, I'm a member of the ALP and the president of the local sub branch.

So close enough on the guess.

Hows your royal comission going that hasn't convicted anyone of anything?

Actually, it is not my royal commission. I think hard working honest Union officials and members would be thanking the royal commission, getting to the bottom of many irregularities.

I think it is eye opening watching various union people and ALP people NOT covering themselves in any glory. Always interesting watching someone defend the indefensible.

As you know (maybe you don't) a royal commission does not handle convictions/prosecutions.

I know in your case that I'm preaching to the converted, you'd be all over the issues and being an honest Union/ALP person you've always has the best interest of your Union members at heart, ensuring they are not being ripped off by their corrupt Union masters.

[LoudPipes]

Crown Resorts executive caught in Fiat Chrysler scandal over My Alfa Romeo deal


Date June 1, 2015 - 7:27AM
Mark Hawthorne
EXCLUSIVE



One of James Packer's most trusted employees has become caught up in a lawsuit between Fiat Chrysler Australia and the company's former boss Clyde Campbell.

Crown Resorts vice-president Ishan Ratnam was part-owner of a company, My Alfa Romeo, through which Mr Campbell allegedly funnelled money to buy a $400,000 luxury boat, according to court documents.

My Alfa Romeo is jointly owned by Mr Ratnam, also known as Ishan Kunaratnam, and Mr Campbell's wife, Simone.

Last week, Fairfax Media revealed Fiat Chrysler is suing Mr Campbell over an alleged string of schemes totalling tens of millions of dollars that the company claims helped furnish its former Australian managing director with a lavish lifestyle, including the purchase of a private plane and a boat.

It is alleged My Alfa Romeo was paid $550,000 by Fiat Chrysler to provide a "mobile outdoor floating billboard" for the company, and it is alleged that, instead, Mr Campbell used the money towards the purchase of a 40-foot Chris Craft boat valued at more than $400,000.

According to court documents, Mr Campbell authorised the payments to be made to My Alfa Romeo via the Melbourne office of global media and advertising agency Maxus.

It is alleged that, in March 2013, Mr Campbell contacted Maxus and directed the company to authorise the up-front payment of three invoices to be provided by "lshan".

Neither Fiat Chrysler nor Maxus, which represented Fiat Chrysler, can find any record of receiving the mobile billboard from My Alfa Romeo.

A subpoena issued in the Federal Court requires My Alfa Romeo to produce all documents "evidencing or recording the work done and the services provided by My Alfa Romeo Australia".

Specifically, it demands documents relating to four invoices of $137,500 each that My Alfa Romeo sent to Maxus, and Mr Campbell ordered to be paid.

Mr Ratnam's solicitor, John Price, denied the claim regarding non-delivery of the billboard.

"There is a contract between My Alfa Romeo and FCA and the billboard was provided," Mr Price stated."My client denies that assertion, as certainly Fiat Chrysler did receive it."

Mr Ratnam holds many senior positions at Crown, including vice-president of VIP Gaming Services and also uses the title "special assistant to the executive chairman", who is James Packer.

Mr Ratnam made headlines in 2009, after Gold Coast property developer Harry Kakavas, a problem gambler who had excluded himself from Crown Casino, sued the gaming venue for the $30 million he lost in a little over a year.

Mr Kakavas claimed that Crown lured him back with cash and other inducements.

In his statement of claim Mr Kakavas alleged that Mr Ratnam contacted him on behalf of Crown's chief operating officer at the time, John Williams, to give Crown "a chance" after hearing that he had been gambling in Las Vegas.

"You don't need to fly 16 hours to Vegas, when you have a two-hour flight to Crown," Mr Ratnam allegedly said. "Johnny Williams said that we will let you bet more than what Vegas allows you, up to $300,000 per hand, and we will give you a 20 per cent rebate on losses."

Mr Kakavas lost his lawsuit against Crown.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/crown...0150531-ghd4an

[LoudPipes]

Multimillion-dollar Australian car industry scandal could rope in more former executives

Joshua Dowling National Motoring Editor
News Corp Australia Network
June 01, 2015 9:26AM

THE biggest scandal to hit the Australian automotive industry is about to get bigger.

News Corp Australia understands the Fiat Chrysler motor company could expand its Federal Court action into the alleged misuse of $30 million of corporate funds to include allegations concerning other former executives not currently named in the action.

“As this is a matter before the courts we won’t engage in further discussions and cannot comment at this stage,” said Pat Dougherty, who was appointed president and CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia (FCA Australia) in December 2014.

The revelation comes as a News Corp Australia investigation has learned that several people who benefited from lucrative contracts had worked together at another car company — and one person had been sacked overseas for misuse of corporate funds.

At least four of the executives named in the FCA court documents worked together at Mercedes-Benz Australia 10 years ago.

There is no suggestion any action is pending from their previous employment at Mercedes-Benz Australia, and the German car maker is not involved in the FCA court case.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles — which distributes Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars — has filed court documents that allege former chief executive Clyde Campbell misused more than $30 million of company funds during his term in office, from October 2010 to May 2013.

According to court documents, FCA Australia alleges Mr Campbell “breached his fiduciary duties” and also used corporate funds “directly or indirectly” to buy a yacht, a plane, and lavish overseas trips.

The statement of claim lodged to the Victorian Registry of the Federal Court of Australia also alleges Mr Campbell’s successor, Veronica Johns — who joined the company in 1998 as a personal assistant to the finance director and in May 2013 became the first Australian woman to head a car company — helped pay for house renovations using corporate funds.

The 51-page statement of claim filed to the Federal Court also names former Mercedes-Benz executives — Ernst Lieb, David Piva and Sam Tabart — who worked with Mr Campbell at the German car-maker.

Mr Campbell was general manager of sales for Mercedes-Benz cars in Australia from 2004 to 2007.

Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy told News Corp Australia: “I am not aware of any specific allegations or investigations at Mercedes-Benz Australia regarding those people (the former Mercedes-Benz employees).”

In the Federal Court documents FCA Australia alleges Mr Lieb and Mr Piva benefited from $2,495,000 in FCA Australia funding towards “marketing support” and the acquisition of two Melbourne dealerships — at Brighton and Chadstone — in which they have a joint financial interest.

At the opening of the Chadstone dealership in April 2013 — the same month Mr Campbell left his role as the boss of FCA Australia — Mr Campbell, Ms Johns, Mr Lieb and Mr Piva “enjoyed an evening of mingling and speeches”, according to a press release issued at the time.

Mr Piva described the occasion as “an exciting time to be a part of the Fiat Chrysler team”.

Prior to becoming involved with the FCA brand of dealerships, Mr Lieb was from 2003 to 2006 the CEO and President of DaimlerChrysler Australia-Pacific, which represented the Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler group of companies that were jointly owned at the time.

Mr Piva also previously worked for Mercedes-Benz. According to his LinkedIn profile, his last position with the company, from 2006 to 2008, was as dealer principal of the Mercedes-Benz of Melbourne showroom, owned and operated by the German car-maker.

In October 2011, Mr Lieb was sacked from his role as the boss of Mercedes-Benz USA after the company found he used corporate funds to pay for golf club fees, flight upgrades, and renovations to his New Jersey house, including adding a home theatre, a gym, a washer and dryer and a barbecue.

In November 2012 Mr Lieb appealed the decision and tried to sue for wrongful dismissal. But the court in Stuttgart, Germany, dismissed the case saying the claims against Mr Lieb were “so serious that any further employment [at Mercedes-Benz] would be unacceptable”.

Mr Lieb, who was born in Germany, eventually returned to Australia and reconnected with his former colleague, this time as a car dealer and with Mr Campbell as a car company CEO.

When Mr Campbell left Mercedes-Benz Australia in December 2007 he initially tried to establish a dealership within the Mercedes-Benz retail network but the plan never eventuated.

Mr Campbell subsequently joined Motortrak, a dealer marketing services company, before he was appointed as the boss of FCA Australia in October 2010.

Mr Tabart worked with both Mr Campbell and Mr Lieb at Mercedes-Benz from 2005 to 2007 as marketing manager for the Smart car brand, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz.

Mr Tabart was later hired by Mr Campbell to join FCA Australia as marketing director from 2010 to 2013. Mr Tabart is credited with commissioning the “I Bought A Jeep” advertising campaign.

In April 2013, the same month Mr Campbell left FCA Australia, Mr Tabart also left the company, to work for a corporate internet services business that, according to its website, specialises in search engine optimisation, data reporting, and social media advertising.

Prior to Mr Tabart leaving, however, FCA Australia says in May 2012 it entered into a three-year contract worth “approximately $6,600,000” with the company called Digital Dialogue, which FCA Australia alleges was part owned by Mr Tabart.

The statement of claim alleges Mr Campbell “authorised the Digital Dialogue Media Contract on behalf of (FCA Australia)”.

The statement of claim, filed on behalf of FCA Australia by law firm Arnold Bloch Liebler, repeatedly says throughout the document “further particulars will be provided before trial”, when referring to most of the allegations.

The interlocutory hearing of the FCA Australia case was due last week but has been postponed until June 16.

Mr Campbell’s lawyer Sam Bond has told media the accusations of misused funds are “not only completely denied but considered scandalous”.

News Corp Australia could not reach Ernst Lieb, David Piva, Sam Tabart and Veronica Johns for comment at the time this article was written.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/techno...e546251c4c5106

[steve.zissou]

I love my jeep but this could go some of the way to explaining why they couldn't afford to fix glaring warranty issues in the past and that has really hurt their reputation.

Maybe crysler read my letter - which went something like: "guys, you have built a great car but your reputation is going down the toilet due to customer service". At the time, FCA didn't even have a telephone number listed publically. Whats even more funny, they could have spent a bit more on some motor journos and they might not have gotten the bad press about warranties - but i doubt it.

Hopefully after plugging some moster financial holes they will have enough to bring the ram over.

[new2ford]

The saga goes on:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...-millions.html

Does this mean some celebrities will go missing like the neighbours?

[Bill M]

This is getting better...

Fiat Chrysler boss was involved with car theft gang

Clyde Campbell, the former Fiat Chrysler Australia boss at the centre of a $30 million scandal rocking the auto-maker, has previously faced criminal charges for stealing cars and was once involved with an interstate car theft racket that operated in Victoria, NSW and South Australia.

http://www.theage.com.au/business/fi...0150613-ghn2e2

[csv8]

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...22-giikls.html
The man who appointed Clyde Campbell as the boss of Fiat Chrysler Australia has suddenly resigned from the Italo-American car maker overnight.

John Kett, the Asia-Pacific boss for FCA who oversaw the Australian operations, has left the company just days before Campbell is due to lodge his statement of claim against allegations from Fiat Chrysler that he misused more then $30million of company money to fund his lavish party lifestyle.

Fiat Chrysler officially said Kett, an expat Australian who was promoted from Chief Financial Officer to the top position for Asia Pacific in 2009, "is leaving the business to pursue other interests" and his resignation is effective immediately.

[new2ford]

FCA - the Fraud Corruption and Avarice Motor Company

[AUwindsor]

A boss will be a boss. Just ask Paris Hilton, hanging with sons of aussie drug king pins. The mega rich will always be crooked. The higher you go up the ladder, the more it bends.....