Family of dead man whose signature was forged complain to ALP

Tom Donato has asked Victorian Labor Party monitor John Thwaites to investigate ‘who stood to gain’ from his dead father’s signature being forged.

Tom Donato. His late father, Antonio Donato, died aged 82 in 2017, but had his signature forged on ALP membership forms in May 2018 and May 2019. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The son of one of two dead men whose signatures were forged by a Labor Party branch linked to ­Andrews government minister Lily D’Ambrosio has formally complained to the party about the “unlawful and fraudulent” use of his father’s identity.

In a letter sent to Victorian Labor Party monitor John Thwaites on Friday, Tom Donato requests that the former deputy premier thoroughly investigate the repeated renewal of memberships for both of Mr Donato’s parents, and other members of the Lalor South ALP branch, and to establish “who stood to gain” from the conduct.

Mr Donato has asked Mr Thwaites to examine whether there was any involvement in the apparent branch stacking from MPs, political staff or other party members, telling the respected Labor Party elder he and his ­family will consider reporting the matter to police if Labor’s investigation is not sufficiently thorough.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews listens to colleague and Minister for Climate Action Lily D'Ambrosio in paliament this week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Ms D’Ambrosio – in whose electorate office the Lalor South branch held its meetings until 2019 – has rejected any allegation of wrongdoing, saying issues of ALP party membership and fees “are a matter for the party”.

The Weekend Australian alerted Mr Donato on Monday to the fact that Labor Party records indicate his father Antonio’s ALP membership was renewed in May 2018 and 2019, despite his death in July 2017.

“It is my understanding that Labor Party records show my mother, Giuseppina Donato, joined the Lalor South branch on June 25, 2007, and my father, ­Antonio Donato, joined on July 30, 2007,” Mr Donato said in his letter, written on behalf of him, his mother and his brother Enzo.

“The records show both of them remained members until May 2020, despite my father having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, and having passed away in 2017.

“My mother believes neither of them ever paid membership fees, or filled out any renewal forms. This suggests that both my parents’ identities were being used without their permission for more than a decade, including for more than two years after my father’s death.

“This discovery has deeply concerned and saddened our ­family, as it not only disrespects the memory of my father but also raises alarming questions about the integrity of the membership renewal process within the Labor Party.

“We would also like to understand who it was in the party who stood to gain from this conduct.”

In the letter, Mr Donato ­indicates that he is aware of The Australian’s reports concerning other elderly members of the Lalor South branch who never paid membership fees or signed forms.

“The renewals of my parents’ memberships from 2008 to 2019 inclusive, and particularly my ­father’s membership renewals in 2018 and 2019, after his demise, are a clear violation of party rules and ethical standards,” Mr ­Donato wrote. “This unauthorised act has caused distress to our family ...

Antonio Donato, who died, aged 82, in 2017 but had his signature forged on ALP membership forms in May 2018 and May 2019. Image supplied by family. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“This investigation should aim to identify the individuals responsible for this fraudulent activity … It should aim to establish whether any MPs, staff, or other party members had any knowledge or involvement in the misuse of my parents’ identities.”

Mr Donato requested a formal apology for the distress caused to his family. “I trust that a thorough investigation will be conducted without us needing to involve Victoria Police, but should this not occur, a referral to police is an option we would consider,” he wrote.

Mr Thwaites was contacted for comment.