The former president of an Ontario public sector union is countersuing the organization and its current leadership, alleging that claims against him are the culmination of a politically motivated campaign to destroy his reputation.
The Ontario Public Services Employees Union is suing former president Warren (Smokey) Thomas, along with its former vice-president and former financial services administrator, for the nearly $6 million it alleges they unlawfully transferred to themselves, including strike fund cash and union vehicles.
In a countersuit and statement of defence, Thomas says all of his transactions were appropriate and consistent with his obligations to the union.
He alleges the claims against him are part of a campaign by current president JP Hornick along with vice-president and treasurer Laurie Nancekivell to undermine his reputation and deflect negative attention from their leadership.
Hornick and Nancekivell argue in a statement that Thomas' defence and counterclaim are ``fiction at best''.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.