Add CategorySLEAZEBAG former politician Craig Thomson has been handed a get out of jail card, but will still be fined over a grubby cash-for-hookers scandal.
The former member for Dobell was this week cleared of 49 charges of misappropriating Health Services Union funds, but found guilty of 13 theft charges.
Today he was fined $25,000.
Thomson appealed against 65 convictions of obtaining financial advantage by deception by misappropriating union funds during his term as national secretary between 2002 and 2007.
He was originally convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison, with nine months suspended, after a trial in the Melbourne Magistrates Court in March.
Lesley Taylor SC, for the prosecution, had argued anything other than a jail sentence would be â€manifestly inadequate’’.
“It’s breathtaking his lack of insight and inability to see he’s done anything wrong whatsoever,’’ she said.
Ms Taylor said Thomson should have been jailed because of his extreme breach of trust.
The court heard Thompson blew $5620 on prostitutes and had a particular lust for a girl named “Misty’’, paying $385 an hour for sex.
Craig Thomson outside court. Picture: Mike Keating
Judge Carolyn Douglas said although Thomson had shown no remorse for his crimes, jail was not appropriate considering the small amount of cash he stole.
“I consider his behaviour appalling,’’ she said.
“It’s greedy to be putting his hand in the pot of the people he represented.’’
Judge Douglas condemned Thomson for his “flagrant and self-indulgent’’ spending and warned him he could still wind up in jail.
“There is no force in a fine unless he’s going to pay it,’’ she said.
“If he doesn’t pay he will go to prison.’’
The court heard the lengthy legal fight had cost Thomson about $400,000, which forced him to mortgage his home.
He remains unemployed apart from some short-term work as a contractor negotiating commercial contracts in the mining industry.
Thomson’s lawyer, Greg James QC, compared the media attention over his client’s grubby affair to disgraced former speaker Peter Slipper.
In sentencing, Judge Douglas said she did not accept Thomson’s defence that his behaviour was an example of the “frailties of a man away from homeâ€.
She also condemned Thomson for his continued arrogance and confidence and suggested those who submitted character references praising him had got it wrong.
“I consider those people, although well meaning, share a misconceived view of his honesty,†she said.
wayne.flower@news.com.au
Originally published as Thomson stole for call girl splurge, avoids jail