Lawyers for former OPSEU president say union allegations ‘untrue’

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Lawyers for the former president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union say allegations of financial irregularities in a lawsuit filed by the union are false.

OPSEU is seeking nearly $6 million that was allegedly illegally transferred to former President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, former First Vice President/Treasurer Eduardo Almeida and former Financial Services Administrator Maurice Gabay, as well than to millions of others in damages.

OPSEU said that since Thomas and Almeida quit last April, the union has been conducting a forensic audit.

The union alleges it discovered that Thomas and Almeida paid themselves “significant compensation” to which they were not entitled, used union money for non-business purposes, transferred union vehicles to themselves- themselves or members of their families and donated money to the strike fund for themselves and Gabay. .

The allegations have not been tested in court.

Jeffrey Kroeker and Frank Portman, co-lawyer for Thomas, said in a statement on Tuesday that the statement was “riddled with errors, lies and false allegations.”

“Mr. Thomas denies the complaint against him and intends to defend his good name,” the lawyers wrote.

Kroeker and Portman say Thomas served as OPSEU president “faithfully and proudly” for 15 years. They say Thomas was hailed as a “tough but fair leader” with a reputation for being honest, caring and someone who always put the interests of his members and his union first.

“That will never change,” Kroeker and Portman said.

“Through his attorneys, Mr. Thomas is reviewing all legal options available to him and will respond to them shortly. Until Mr. Thomas files a defence, he will not comment further on the false allegations against him or the motives and policy behind them.”

Almeida and Gabay could not be reached for comment and it is unclear whether they have retained attorneys or filed statements of defense.

Unions say 2 leaders failed in their duties

OPSEU alleges that there were more than $1 million in charges on the three defendants’ corporate credit cards that were not accompanied by supporting documentation to show they were for legitimate business purposes.

The union alleges that Thomas and Almeida also reached “settlement agreements” with OPSEU for $500,000 each for improper purposes in the months leading up to their departure.

Thomas’ deal was allegedly to settle a complaint he filed for ‘discrimination and harassment’ against OPSEU’s board of directors and seeking damages for ‘attacks on his feelings, dignity and esteem. self,” the statement read.

Almeida’s settlement was supposed to settle a claim for “defamation, intentional interference in economic relations, intent to inflict mental suffering and civil conspiracy,” the statement said.

“These agreements were not known or authorized by the board of directors at the time,” OPSEU alleges in its lawsuit.

“Thomas and Almeida acted beyond their powers and failed in their duty to the union. They conspired and colluded to cause OPSEU/OPSEU to pay themselves and others substantial sums , which were unwarranted, unreasonable and inappropriate.”

Current OPSEU president JP Hornick wrote in an update to members on Monday that the allegations were “troubling.”

“I want to be clear to you. Our staff and members, and the people of Ontario whom we dutifully serve, that we will not waver in our commitment to seek justice in this matter, and we have the full support of the Commission to pursue all available legal avenues. ,” Hornick wrote.

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