Former federal MP Craig Thomson has been ordered to pay more than $458,000 for misusing funds during his time as head of the scandal-plagued Health Services Union. The Federal Court ordered Thomson pay $80,050 to the Fair Work Commission over the spending of union funds for personal use between 2003 and 2007, including on several visits to brothels. Justice Christopher Jessup also ordered he pay the HSU $231,243 in compensation and $146,937 in interest. Judge Jessup said Thomson, who did not appear at the hearing, had at no stage shown any contrition or appreciation of the seriousness of the matters against him.
