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Craig Thomson trial: use of credit card for escorts was not fraud, defence says Craig Thomson trial: use of credit card for escorts was not fraud, defence says
(7 months later)
The alleged use of union-issued credit cards on escorts and personal expenses by former MP Craig Thomson does not amount to fraud, his lawyer says.The alleged use of union-issued credit cards on escorts and personal expenses by former MP Craig Thomson does not amount to fraud, his lawyer says.
Thomson, 49, has Thomson, 49, has pleaded not guilty to charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception over the alleged misuse of his Health Services Union credit card while he was the organisation's national secretary and a Labor MP.
pleaded not guilty to charges of obtaining financial advantage by
deception over the alleged misuse of his Health Services Union credit
card while he was the organisation's national secretary and a Labor MP.
His barrister Greg James QC did not deny that Thomson made the transactions, but said no criminal deception had occurred.His barrister Greg James QC did not deny that Thomson made the transactions, but said no criminal deception had occurred.
"The accused here has been given the right to use the credit "The accused here has been given the right to use the credit cards for transactions," he told Melbourne magistrates court on Wednesday.
cards for transactions," he told Melbourne magistrates court on
Wednesday.
"He doesn't deceive the bank, the credit card provider or the service provider. He doesn't deceive the HSU.""He doesn't deceive the bank, the credit card provider or the service provider. He doesn't deceive the HSU."
Mr James said there was no evidence to suggest the businesses paid by Thomson's cards had been defrauded or left shortchanged.Mr James said there was no evidence to suggest the businesses paid by Thomson's cards had been defrauded or left shortchanged.
"The providers couldn't care less about his internal relationship with the HSU," he said."The providers couldn't care less about his internal relationship with the HSU," he said.
"All they care about is whether the bank or the credit card will honour the transaction - and they did and the debts were paid.""All they care about is whether the bank or the credit card will honour the transaction - and they did and the debts were paid."
Thomson faces 145 dishonesty charges over the alleged misuse of $28,449 between 2002 and 2008.Thomson faces 145 dishonesty charges over the alleged misuse of $28,449 between 2002 and 2008.
He is accused of using the cards to pay escorts, make cash He is accused of using the cards to pay escorts, make cash withdrawals, and to pay for travel, cigarettes and firewood for his ex-wife.
withdrawals, and to pay for travel, cigarettes and firewood for his
ex-wife.
Mr James said media interviews in which Thomson suggested someone else had set him up were made in the context of a "failing marriage" and "political candidacy".Mr James said media interviews in which Thomson suggested someone else had set him up were made in the context of a "failing marriage" and "political candidacy".
He suggested Thomson may have made a "mistake" in paying for cigarettes and firewood with his union credit card.He suggested Thomson may have made a "mistake" in paying for cigarettes and firewood with his union credit card.
"It's simple - you use the wrong credit card," Mr James said."It's simple - you use the wrong credit card," Mr James said.