Former Australian MP Convicted for Defrauding Coronavirus Grants

Mr. Thomson applied for and received $25,000 in COVID-19 support grant money for a cafe owned by his wife, from whom he has since separated.

Australian banknotes in Melbourne, on Nov. 7, 2017. Paul Crocker/AFP via Getty Images

Former federal politician and unionist Craig Thomson has been spared jail after fraudulently taking $25,000 (US$16,574) in grants from the government.

The disgraced ex-MP pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and was sentenced on Monday.