Former MP Thomson to learn fate on charges

Former MP Craig Thomson will soon learn his fate when dozens of dishonesty offences over his alleged misuse of union credit cards are decided.

The 49-year-old has been accused of using his Health Services Union credit card to pay for escorts and personal expenses while he was the organisation's national secretary and a federal Labor MP.

He has pleaded not guilty to more than 140 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception, theft and obtaining property by deception. He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg is set to hand down his verdict in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The expected verdict comes two weeks after the conclusion of a summary hearing and more than a year since Thomson was first charged.

During the hearing, prosecutor Lesley Taylor SC said Thomson knew the transactions were not legitimate union expenses and tried to mask his purchases.

However, Thomson's barrister Greg James QC said Thomson had not deceived the bank, the credit card issuer, the service provider or the Health Services Union.

Thomson is accused of misusing a total of $28,449 between 2002 and 2008.

He lost his NSW Central Coast seat of Dobell at last September's federal election, standing as an independent but receiving less than four per cent of the primary vote.