The Fair Work Commission sued Thomson, seeking penalties and for compensation for the HSU, for transactions charged to the union in 2003-07. Justice Christopher Jessup found Thomson improperly used HSU money for his own benefit while secretary. Thomson did not defend himself against the workplace relations tribunal’s claim. In March, he left the court and did not return after Justice Jessup dismissed his application to have the matter thrown out on the grounds he was mentally unfit. The Federal Court judge found spending on escorts in April-June 2005 and September 2006 breached the Workplace Relations Act. Thomson instructed staff to record some of it as “meeting expenses”. The judge said Thomson’s use of a union employee for his 2007 election campaign was “the clearest of improprieties”, as was his use of a union credit card on campaign expenses. The judge will consider penalties on November 9.
