Lawsuit costs climbing as O.P.F.F.A. lawyers being subpoenaed to testify in the WSIB Criminal Case.

In April 2016, Ontario Professional Firefighters Association launched a lawsuit against Paul Atkinson, Colin Grieve, Sherwin Shapiro, Shapiro Lawyers Professional Corporation and Frances Furmanov Paralegal Services accusing the defendants of swindling money from WSIB settlements widows and families of retirees.

As the O.P.F.F.A. continue to pursue and with the additional cost of O.P.F.F.A. lawyers Andrew McCoomb and Rahool Agarwal being called to the stand, union officials may be asking each of its members to help up to $5,000 with these legal costs.

9 thoughts on “Lawsuit costs climbing as O.P.F.F.A. lawyers being subpoenaed to testify in the WSIB Criminal Case.”

  1. Can someone tell me how many opffa executive members have resigned or given up their position since this lawsuit was launched by then president santoro?…..
    I can think of Francicone, santoro, hydnman, and a couple other dvps.
    Before we had lifers in those spots.
    I can’t stop but think how those resignations may be all linked to the lawsuit.
    What is this organizations plan for the long term? Ford has already canceled the firefighter certification program and I’m hearing the firemedic program is also in jeopardy.
    What are locals paying for?
    Someone needs to ask a few questions.
    At the last convention the executive got raises and now a pension from locals.
    Someone please explain to me how this is all a good thing for ME.

    1. If you have been told no dues or donations have been used to pay legal bills for this lawsuit, how do you think it is being funded?

      Check out the opffa budget since 2015. Each year shows a per capita line and a donations line. This is added to give you a total revenue. When you examine the expenditures you will note that the legal fees for od lawsuit roughly equals the total revenue.

      There in lays the lie…

    2. For starters, I’d ask to see a copy of that insurance plan if I were you. And while you’re at it, you might as well ask to see the current balance of the OD fund. I’m pretty sure any OPFFA member in good standing has the right to request these items. If the OPFFA has nothing to hide or to be ashamed about, they should be very forthcoming with these documents, just as any credible nonprofit organization would share this type of information. On the other hand, if you get the runaround from the OPFFA or a straight refusal, then you know they’ve been deceitful and quite possibly up to something illegal.

      I want every firefighter who is a member of the OPFFA to call the head office and rightfully ask for a copy of the insurance policy that protects us and safeguards the OD fund. And also demand a current balance sheet of the OD fund!

      PTSD is a real and serious issue amongst us firefighters and shouldn’t be taken lightly. My intentions here are not to make light of the recent revelation of PTSD made by our OPFFA President Rob Hyndman. I sincerely hope he gets the help he needs and gets better. I just wonder can exposure to a failing lawsuit and looming countersuit cause PTSD? I believe past President Carmen Santoro also suffered from PTSD, but thankfully he is better and has returned to work. Could his have been caused by the same exposure?

  2. The members have been told by Union Officials that no money will be used by the WSIB Occupational Disease (Donations) Fund or coming from the membership to fund this lawsuit.
    Union Official advised that they have an insurance policy that protects the OD Fund and it’s members.
    I have not personally read or have seen the Insurance policy, we have only been told.

  3. The Criminal Pretrial was held thus far in Burlington, there will be two more days in November to be held in Milton. In total, I think it works out to 11 days of court. From what I’ve seen so far the case will be dismissed. Nothing to see here folks…..except corruption at the hands of the OPFFA and Carmen Santoro.

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