“The HSU has no tolerance for alleged misuse of union funds. Our decisions are informed by the need to protect the interests of our members, which is why we have stood Diana Asmar aside from her national executive position and intend to persuade the Victoria No.1 branch committee of management to follow a similar course.”
Asmar has been contacted for comment. She has previously told the HSU she strenuously denies the claims.
Documents seen by this masthead have previously confirmed Victoria Police and the Fair Work Commission are investigating a money trail of more than $3 million in payments – including an alleged $2.8 million from the HWU and $180,000 from the CFMEU.
The funds were allegedly sent to select printing firms after false invoices were issued, with investigators still working to determine how the funds were later used.
Asmar is also facing serious allegations she misused union funds to pay for personal expenses and attempted to cover up her conduct by doctoring receipts.
“About $124,000 in payments to Ms Asmar are wholly unsupported by any documentation able to be produced by the branch,” a letter from the commission’s letter alleges.
One case study documented involves Asmar’s apparent purchase of Gold Class movie tickets at Crown casino, an expense investigators have queried may not “relate to a proper business expenditure” of a union.
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