Former union boss Warren (Smokey) Thomas says OPSEU allegations against him are false

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Former OPSEU boss Warren ‘Smokey’ Thomas speaks to reporters at Queens Park in Toronto in a file photo on January 21, 2019.Chris Young/The Canadian Press

Former Ontario Public Service Employees Union President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has called recent allegations of financial impropriety against him by the union false and vows to defend himself.

Mr Thomas released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, just a day after OPSEU filed a lawsuit accusing him and two other former union leaders of improperly using millions of dollars in cash and assets for personal enrichment.

The statement, released by lawyers for Mr Thomass, Jeffrey Kroeker and Frank Portman of Toronto-based Massey LLP, said the suit was riddled with errors, lies and false allegations.

Mr Thomas denies the allegations against him and intends to defend his good name, the statement said.

The union alleges that Mr. Thomas, who was president of OPSEU for 15 years before retiring from the union last April, as well as Eduardo Almeida, the former vice-president and treasurer of OPSEU, paid themselves compensation to which they were not entitled and transferred union-owned assets, such as vehicles, to themselves and their family members free of charge.

The lawsuit also accuses the pair of paying money from the unions’ strike fund to themselves and a third union leader, Maurice Gabay, and making deals, which ultimately enriched themselves at the expense. unions.

The allegations have not been proven in court and none of the defendants have filed a defence. Mr. Almeida could not be reached for comment, and Mr. Gabay did not respond to a request for comment.

Tuesday’s statement to the media suggested there was politics behind the charges and that Mr Thomas would not speak publicly about the allegations until he filed a statement of defence.

The statement added that as chairman, Mr. Thomas was hailed as a tough but fair leader with a reputation for being honest and caring.

The lawsuit claims Mr. Almeida owes the union $3 million in funds he allegedly took; Mr. Thomas owes $1.75 million; and Mr. Gabay owes $1 million. The union is seeking an additional $6 million in damages.

According to the lawsuit, current OPSEU management, led by newly appointed President JP Hornick, initially became concerned about the conduct of Mr. Thomas and Mr. Almeidas when they failed to adequately report expenses. significant commitments made by the union. The unions’ executive council hired a third-party forensic accountant in early 2022 to carry out a thorough audit of the unions’ finances in light of the alleged discrepancies.

OPSEU said the unions’ finances remain stable and the audit is continuing.

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