A Western Australia radio presenter has been sacked after allegedly rigging a competition to help his friend win $10,000.
Hans Bruechle, an afternoon presenter on Nova 93.7, was yesterday fired from his job, the station's integration and marketing manager Andy Milne told WA Today.
"The announcer's employment has been terminated at Nova," Mr Milne was quoted as saying.
"We viewed his behaviour seriously enough that we saw grounds for ending his employment."
Nova's Ten Grand 100 competition promised to give $10,000 to the first caller who rang up after the station played 99 songs between 9am and 5pm.
"Ashley of Meadow Vale" was announced the winner of the competition after she called in after the 99th song was played on Wednesday.
The West Australian newspaper reported station records showed Bruechle called the woman five minutes before she rang the station.
Ashley initially claimed she had spent all day in her car listening and counting the number of songs played.
But, moments later, she also said she had done a university exam and also gone surfing during the day.
The station is believed to have received anonymous complaints from listeners who said Ashley and Bruechle were friends.
When Ashley turned up to collect her prize yesterday she was told she would not be given the cash.
The station will donate the money to the charity Youth Focus.
Nova is continuing with the competition and is offering listeners the chance to win another $10,000 today.
The station has launched an investigation into the incident and the Department for Racing, Gaming and Liquor, the Federal Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy as well as the Australian Communications and Media Authority are all looking into the matter.
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