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Michael Williamson jailed for at least five years for 'parasitic' union fraud Michael Williamson jailed for at least five years for 'parasitic' union fraud
(35 minutes later)
The former Health Services Union boss Michael Williamson has been jailed for at least five years for systematically defrauding the union of almost $1m and hindering a police investigation. Former Health Services Union boss Michael Williamson has been jailed for at least five years for systematically defrauding the union of almost $1m and hindering a police investigation.
Williamson showed no emotion as he was sentenced to a maximum seven-and-a-half years at Sydney's district court on Friday.Williamson showed no emotion as he was sentenced to a maximum seven-and-a-half years at Sydney's district court on Friday.
In a damning judgment, Judge David Frearson said Williamson oversaw a "parasitic plundering of the union funds for pure greed".In a damning judgment, Judge David Frearson said Williamson oversaw a "parasitic plundering of the union funds for pure greed".
The frauds were calculated, brazen and arrogant and involved an "extreme" breach of trust. The frauds were calculated, brazen and arrogant and involved an "extreme" breach of trust. "[It was] a reprehensible betrayal of the union and all its members," he said.
"[It was] a reprehensible betrayal of the union and all its members," he said. It comes almost 20 years after Williamson became general secretary of the union.
During his tenure he presided over an increase in salaries significantly above industry levels.
It was obvious, Frearson said, that Williamson exercised "some kind of supreme power". "He encouraged loyalty and regarded those who supported him," he said.
From about the time his offending started, Williamson was "handsomely paid indeed", earning more than $500,000 by 2011, the judge said.
At the same time, Williamson began "systematically" defrauding the union representing healthcare workers.
In one instance – carried out from 2006 to 2009 – the former boss created numerous false invoices made out to the company CANME, which was in his wife's name.
More than $340,000 was paid for work never done.
Once inquiries began, the father of five then tried to cover up his offending and recruited others to hinder a subsequent police investigation.
Frearson said Williamson had developed a "reprehensible sense of entitlement". But he said he was remorseful, had taken full responsibility for his actions and had apologised to union members for his actions.
The judge also accepted he was of prior good character and there was little chance he would reoffend.
The former ALP national president's earliest date of release is March 2019.
Outside court, a small band of union members have gathered with placards that read "major crime needs tough sentence" and "no excuse for stealing and lying".