Harley, a partner at prominent law firm Jones Harley Toole, stepped down yesterday – the latest in a long line of recent resignations from the high-profile board.

It follows revelations of a “cash-flow” crisis in the state branch of the not-for-profit, with an independent auditor called in to assess the state of its books.

InDaily revealed last week that group of RSL members have marshalled enough support to demand an extraordinary sub-branch conference in a bid to unseat the current board.

Rick has been the target of relentless and baseless accusations…

In a statement, the League said Harley, a board appointee since a 2011 restructure, had “provided exemplary service to the RSL and the veterans’ community for over two decades”.

“He has spent endless hours providing personal and professional support and has enriched the lives of many veterans through his efforts,” it said.

“Sadly, in recent times, Rick has been the target of relentless and baseless accusations questioning his personal and professional integrity, seeking to impede or restrict his ability to support the veterans’ community.”

Harley said in a statement it had been “a great honour to serve the veteran community and a great privilege to serve on the RSL-SA State Board, particularly under the stewardship of [state president] Tim Hanna”.

“Whilst I recognise there are many current challenges, as there are for all not-for-profit organisations in the community, I am confident that RSL-SA is making the right decisions moving forward and will continue to provide support for veterans for many years to come,” he said.

He remains on the board of RSL Care SA, whose assets are the subject of an internal tug-of-war with RSL management pushing to sell them off.

The thus-far aborted bid prompted the resignation of former RSL director Bill Denny last year, since when CEO Julia Langrehr and board members Francine Pinnuck, Corey McGowan, Ivan Venning and Cheryl Cates have also quit the organisation.

It leaves only Hanna, his deputy Jill Hoare and appointees Steve Larkins and Colin Johns on the board, with is supposed to accommodate nine members – six of them elected. Another elected director, Adelaide Plains mayor Tony Flaherty, is currently on leave and understood to be considering his legal options after a state tribunal decision to stand him down over questions about his service record were set aside by a national tribunal review.

Hanna told InDaily today he was working through a response to the spill motion, given two board positions – including Hoare’s – would already be up for election at an AGM in July.

“We’re looking at it internally at present,” he said.

“I suspect we’ll end up having a discussion with representatives from this particular group [but] my main concerns is to add some stability to the RSL, at a time when we have some other challenges going on.”