A Manitoba branch of Unifor is suing its former financial secretary, alleging she misappropriated over $50,000 of the union’s funds through forged or altered cheques last year.
Unifor Local 3005, which represents about 350 employees at Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg, accuses Ashley Samonte of negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty, according to a lawsuit filed at the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench on Sept. 11.
Samonte, who started working for the union around January 2024, was entrusted to handle Local 3005’s financial affairs and bookkeeping as financial secretary, according to the suit. She was allowed to write cheques and approve payments.
An internal investigation by the union in or around October 2024 found that between July and October of that year, Samonte submitted payments from union funds into her own personal bank account by issuing and depositing forged or altered cheques to herself, without the union’s knowledge or consent, the statement of claim alleges.
The union claims she knowingly misrepresented amounts and names on payment documents, with the intent to defraud Unifor.
It also alleges she failed to maintain internal records or any proper records relating to the union’s financial affairs.
None of the allegations have been proven in court. A statement of defence has not yet been filed.
Samonte has also been criminally charged with theft over $5,000 in connection with the allegation of misappropriated union funds, a court spokesperson told CBC News.
The union has demanded that Samonte return the money, according to its lawsuit. Samonte acknowledged that she wrongfully took and kept the union’s funds and promised to return or repay the money, but she has failed and/or neglected to do so, the union’s lawsuit alleges.
It’s seeking nearly $55,000 in damages — the amount the union says was wrongfully taken — along with exemplary and punitive damages for the “wanton disregard” of Unifor’s rights.
It’s also seeking an injunction to prevent her from disposing of any of her assets.
CBC News reached out to Samonte for comment but had not received a response prior to publication.
AJ McAulay, Unifor Local 3005’s current financial secretary, says Samonte hasn’t returned to work at Magellan Aerospace since the allegations against her emerged.
The lawsuit is the union’s last resort to recoup the missing funds, he said.
“The members ultimately feel betrayed,” McAulay told CBC News on Wednesday.
“They have voted to direct us to proceed to the fullest extent of the law and civil matter, whatever it takes.”
Some of Samonte’s former co-workers feel personally affected by the allegations against her, because they knew Samonte and members of her family, said McAulay.
“This is where it hurts, right?” he said. “Trust is lost.”
