OPSEU

Lawsuit filed by Ontario Public Service Employees Union accuses Warren (Smokey) Thomas and two other executives of transferring millions in cash and assets ...

Mr. Thomas, Mr. Almeida and Mr. Thomas and Mr. “Mr. Allegations against Mr. Both Mr. Thomas also allegedly transferred a number of vehicles purchased by the union to himself and his family. “I want to assure you that despite today’s news, our union remains strong and our finances stable. By this point, Mr. Thomas owes $1.75-million; and Mr. The lawsuit claims that Mr.

Ontario union claims the men 'unlawfully transferred' millions of dollars, gave union cars to family members.

No supporting documentation was provided to support the withdrawals or to explain their purpose,” the statement of claim says. “OPSEU/SEFPO is entitled to aggravated and/or punitive damages as a result of their deliberate and unlawful conduct.” The statement of claim says that when Thomas retired, his severance payout was $61,903 and that the union did not make any such payout to Almeida. “OPSEU/SEFPO is not aware of any legitimate strike or lockout-related purpose behind withdrawing such significant sums of cash, and indeed there was none. [allegations](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/07/23/new-details-of-alleged-rapid-test-transaction-emerge-as-full-report-on-jerry-dias-investigation-is-released.html) that former Unifor president [ Jerry Dias ](https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2022/07/20/wads-of-cash-relentless-pressure-infighting-at-unifor-leaked-investigation-findings-reveal-new-details-of-jerry-dias-scandal.html)was involved in a kickback scandal and then attempted to obstruct a probe into his conduct. They abused the power and authority that the union’s membership bestowed upon them and violated the trust that the union’s membership placed in them year after year, election after election.” A third-party workplace investigation alleged that Dias, who retired last year, [received $50,000 from a COVID-19 rapid test supplier ](https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2022/07/20/wads-of-cash-relentless-pressure-infighting-at-unifor-leaked-investigation-findings-reveal-new-details-of-jerry-dias-scandal.html)he promoted to employers. “The union’s executive board and its general membership trusted and relied on Thomas and Almeida to protect the union, including to ensure that members’ hard-earned union dues were used in the best interests of the union and its members,” the statement of claim says. I want to assure you that despite today’s news our union remains strong and our finances stable.” “These compensation payments were not known to or authorized by the executive board at the time,” the statement of claim says, adding that “Gabay, who was charged with oversight of payroll and compensation, breached his employment duties to OPSEU/SEFPO by conspiring or colluding with Thomas and Almeida, and/or permitting these unauthorized payments to be made to them.” Gabay has received $118,456 in “post-termination payments” from the union — which it is now seeking to recover “in light of the misconduct that has been discovered to date,” the statement of claim says. The statement of claim says money — in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $70,000 from 2014 to 2020 — was withdrawn for the union strike fund and allegedly used for “undocumented and illegitimate purposes.”