Thomassen’s Assistant Fired For Theft Of Union Funds

Assistant Supervisor and former disgraced “Unity Team” president Pete Thomassen’s executive assistant, MARIA SABATER, was fired last Friday, for allegedly using a union issued credit card for personal expenses.

Inside sources say the highly paid (over $100,000 yearly) Sabater, ran up over $25,000 in personal charges on the district council's credit card. Thomassen authorized Sabater to have use of a council credit card and cell phone, paid for with union funds.

"I am absolutely shocked, why isn't Pete held accountable?” a carpenter said who did not want his name used for fear of retaliation.

Sabater, has been employed by the District Council, as Thomassen’s executive assistant since 2000. Prior to that she was employed by Dockbuilders Local Union 1456, as its office manager beginning in 1995.

It is unknown how and when the union eventually discovered the alleged pattern of theft by Sabater, or if they contacted the Department of Labor or federal authorities to request an investigation.

Almost all the carpenters I have spoken with on the condition of anonymity agreed, that this union is in serious need of “major reform.”

Supervisor Frank Spencer has been criticized for his highly questionable action of naming Peter Thomassen as his assistant supervisor following the “emergency supervision”.

On August 5, 2009 carpenter boss Mike Forde, along with nine others were arrested and charged with a 29-count indictment for corruption, racketeering, bribery and perjury, in a conspiracy that stretches over a decade, involving six contractors, business agents, business manager, benefit fund trustees, shop stewards, associates, council employees and testing positive for cocaine use.

UBC General President Douglas McCarron fired Forde, local 608 business manager, John Greaney and local 608 business agent, Brian Hayes, on August 13, 2009 and ordered an “emergency supervision” of the district council and appointed Vice President Frank Spencer, supervisor.

"Thomassen should be fired, he betrayed the carpenters, has no integrity and was Forde's biggest enabler and defender," a source said.

In 2007 Thomassen, was found guilty of contempt of court for violating the Consent Decree by failing to give the Government prior notice of the District Council’s intent to enter into collective bargaining agreements in 2001 with associations of contractors that altered job referral rules.

"First Pete sells out the carpenters with the 2001 contract, then he lies about it, then he turns a blind eye to contractor corruption indentified in the Forde indictment, then his son shaves his body hair to avoid detection of drug use and receives a big salary increase, and now his assistant allegedly steals union funds, it's just incredible.”