The administrator of the Health Services Union’s NSW branch has launched legal action to recoup union funds alleged to have been fraudulently obtained by its former boss Michael Williamson.

HSU administrator Michael Moore has also taken legal action against a number of union officers, including national secretary Kathy Jackson and former HSU East acting general secretary Peter Mylan over resolutions relating to “significant salary increases”, the NSW Supreme Court heard today.

However, Justice James Stevenson was told Mr Williamson would be seeking a stay on the matter until his criminal charges have been dealt with.

Mr Williamson has been charged with a total of 48 offences, including defrauding the organisation of $620,000 paid to his wife’s company for services never provided.

Police have alleged CANME Services, registered in his wife Julie’s name, received 47 cheques totalling $620,326 between 2001 and 2009 for work not performed.

Mr Williamson is also a co-director of the company United Edge, which has gone into administration and which allegedly received millions of dollars from the union in exchange for computing services.

Hugh Stowe, representing the HSU, told the court the claims involved CANME and United Edge, as well as “certain council resolutions” which led to the salary increases.

The court heard Mr Moore had also launched proceedings in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, while Mr Mylan had brought Federal Court proceedings against the HSU.

“In view of the overlap … we feel that they should be consolidated,” Mr Stowe said, adding there was likely to be a “web of claims” and “cross claims”.

Gabrielle Bashir, representing Mr Williamson, said her client was possibly facing further criminal charges and would be seeking a stay application.

“All of the matters brought are related to the criminal proceedings,” she said.

Justice Stevenson adjourned the matter to November 30 to allow the parties to file their material.

AAP