Craig Thomson reprimanded colleague for credit card misuse, court told
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Version 0 of 1. Former federal MP Craig Thomson once reprimanded a Health Services Union (HSU) staff member over her misuse of a work credit card, a court has been told. Thomson, 49, is facing dozens of dishonesty charges over his alleged misuse of union-issued credit cards to pay for escorts and other personal expenses while national secretary of the HSU and a Labor MP. His former HSU colleague, Nurten Ungun, said Thomson had instructed staff on the purpose of the credit cards when they were issued. "Mr Thomson told us it was for work-related expenses," Ungun told Melbourne magistrates court on Tuesday. Ungun said Thomson had once reprimanded her for using a credit card on flights and accommodation for a personal trip. "Craig confronted me with the expense," she said. Ungun said she repaid the money to the union before resigning the following day. Former HSU bookkeeper Belinda Ord told the hearing that Thomson had told her to write guidelines on credit card usage after another staff member had signed up to an astrology service. She said Thomson would often use memorandums, rather than receipts, to justify his credit card expenses. Thomson has pleaded not guilty to 145 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception over the alleged misuse of $28,449. The hearing continues before Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg. |