A Manitoba branch of Unifor has taken legal action against its former financial secretary, alleging that she embezzled more than $50,000 of the union’s funds by falsifying or altering checks in the past year. Unifor Local 3005, which represents approximately 350 employees at Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg, has accused Ashley Samonte of negligence, breaching contracts, and breaching fiduciary duties in a lawsuit filed at the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench on September 11.
Samonte, who joined the union in January 2024, was responsible for managing the financial affairs and bookkeeping of Local 3005 as the financial secretary. She had authorization to issue checks and approve payments. An internal investigation conducted by the union in October 2024 revealed that between July and October of that year, Samonte diverted union funds into her personal bank account by creating and depositing forged or altered checks without the union’s consent.
The union alleges that Samonte intentionally misrepresented payment amounts and recipients on financial documents to defraud Unifor. Additionally, she purportedly failed to maintain proper records of the union’s financial transactions. While these claims remain unproven in court, Samonte faces criminal charges for theft over $5,000 related to the misappropriated funds, as confirmed by a court spokesperson to CBC News.
In response to the allegations, the union has demanded the return of the misappropriated funds. Despite acknowledging the wrongful acquisition of union funds and committing to repayment, Samonte has reportedly failed to fulfill this obligation. The union’s lawsuit seeks damages totaling nearly $55,000, the amount allegedly misused, as well as exemplary and punitive damages for the disregard of Unifor’s rights. An injunction is also being pursued to prevent Samonte from disposing of her assets.
CBC News attempted to contact Samonte for comment but received no response before publication. AJ McAulay, the current financial secretary of Unifor Local 3005, stated that Samonte has not returned to work at Magellan Aerospace since the accusations surfaced. He emphasized that the lawsuit represents the union’s final effort to recover the missing funds, expressing members’ feelings of betrayal and determination to pursue legal action to the fullest extent permitted by law.
McAulay highlighted the personal impact felt by some of Samonte’s former colleagues who knew her and her family, emphasizing the loss of trust resulting from the allegations.
