thomson could be gone

Early than people think.
He doesnt need to be convicted of a crime carrying a penalty of 12 months or more, he can also be disqualified from being a MP if he is a bankrupt.

He is facing massive fines if he is convicted of the charges he is now facing. Unless Labor pay him more secret funding he could be cactus. Let's hope so. He deserves everything he gets!



Thomson to face court over alleged prostitute splurge
DateOctober 15, 2012 - 5:01PM 200 reading nowRead later
Clay LucasWorkplace Editor for The Age
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Charges laid against Thomson
Former Labor MP, Craig Thomson is facing Federal Court action over his alleged use of union funds.

Autoplay OnOffVideo feedbackVideo settingsFair Work Australia has begun court proceedings against federal MP Craig Thomson over his alleged use of union credit cards to pay for prostitutes.

The national industrial umpire today lodged its claims against the former Labor MP turned independent in the Federal Court.

Mr Thomson faces civil action over a range of alleged offences. As well as the unauthorised use of union credit cards to pay for prostitutes, the claim covers cash advances totalling more than $102,337.45.


Court action underway ... Craig Thomson. Photo: Andrew Meares

FWA is seeking to fine Mr Thomson for these alleged misdeamenours and others, and the repayment of the funds.

Advertisement The statement of claim lists various escort services Fair Work Australia alleges Mr Thomson used, including Young Blondes, Melbourne's Boardroom Escort Agency, and a brothel called Tiffany's.

Fair Work Australia general manager Bernadette O'Neill said the claims were based largely on the findings of an extensive investigation completed by the industrial agency.


Tiffany's brothel in Albion Street, Surry Hills, Sydney. Photo: Sahlan Hayes
But it also included several additional allegations in relation to the alleged misuse of union money.

The claim includes 37 alleged breaches of rules for officers of registered organisations such as unions, and 25 alleged breaches of the rules of the Health Services Union, which Mr Thomson headed.

"I have not taken this action lightly," Ms O'Neill said. "I am satisfied that it is in the public interest to pursue the allegations in the documents filed in the Federal Court today and consider that there is a reasonable prospect of success."


Bernadette O'Neill, general manager of Fair Work Australia Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Thomson is facing huge fines and having to pay back more than $100,000.

The proceedings have been filed in the Victorian Federal Court, and follow similar proceedings beginning against the HSU and three former officers of its Victoria Number One branch.

Ms O'Neill also said she would launch proceedings against the national office of the HSU, and was considering proceedings against other people named during Fair Work Australia's investigation.

The proceedings against Mr Thomson will begin in the Federal Court in December.

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Thomson said he has always maintained his innocence and would continue to do so.

"Clearly Fair Work Australia has felt pressured into responding this way given the political process which it is part of," he said.

"Naturally I will vigorously defend these claims which are based on a totally discredited Fair Work Australia report."

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz dismissed Mr Thomson's suggestion that Fair Work Australia had been "pressured" into responding through the courts.

"After four long years, one can hardly claim that Fair Work Australia have been pressured into doing anything in relation to this matter," Senator Abetz told reporters in Canberra.

Senator Abetz said the Fair Work findings against Mr Thomson were "devastating".

Senator Abetz also expressed concerns that Mr Thomson might seek to delay proceedings.

He noted that if Mr Thomson was found guilty and forced to pay compensation, it could bankrupt him and render him ineligible to sit in the Parliament.

"I just trust that Mr Thomson doesn't use any delaying tactics, but I fear that he will seek to delay matters until the next election at least," Senator Abetz said.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomson-to-face-court-over-alleged-prostitute-splurge-20121015-27mkf.html#ixzz29MZswPmK