Railway union bosses 'splashed thousands of pounds on Las Vegas trip', leaked files reveal

Expenses from bills in the US City, and from other trips which took place while Mr Cortes was in charge, included thousands for casino and hotel invoices, business class transatlantic flights, and dinners at fine-dining restaurants offering roast suckling pigs big enough to feed six.

The union also funded the hundreds of dollars which Mr Cortes withdrew in cash ahead of the trip, according to The Telegraph.

It is thought the revelations will spark questions regarding the management of the union under Mr Cortes.

The TSSA calls itself a "dedicated transport union" which has more than 17,000 members working for companies such as Network Rail and Transport for London.

Membership for the union costs between £9.78 and £25.22 a month and in return they are backed by the union in disputes with their employers, and receive legal support.

The TSSA was one of the unions at the forefront of major strikes in 2022, which caused travel disruption to millions.

The spending of senior TSSA management was previously examined in 2023 after allegations of bullying and sexual harassment.

Forensic accountants revealed that between 2017 and 2022, Mr Cortes claimed a total of £75,000 in expenses and spending on his TSSA credit card.

His union wages over the same period of time totalled more than £550,000 with an additional £115,000 paid in pension contributions.

Former TSSA assistant general secretary Steve Coe called on Mr Cortes to repay any expenses which were wrongfully claimed.

Mr Coe, who retired in 2022, said: "This is members' money and they expect their money to be spent on their interests, not feathering the nests of senior officials within TSSA."

The report into the finances of the union was completed in July 2023 and reported that Mr Cortes charged a bill at The Mirage Hotel & Casino totalling £1,175 to his union credit card.

He allegedly also expensed £39.99 at the Vyne Tasting Room at Seattle-Tacoma airport, which is described as an "interactive pour-it-yourself wine journey".

The trip to Las Vegas was one of many to the US in 2022 as the TSSA tried to merge with American trad union, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.

Accountants HW Fisher said in its report that "dinner expenses were frequently incurred in excess of TSSA guidelines".

It added: "Alcohol was regularly charged and reimbursed. In certain circumstances, no invoice was provided."

A spokesman for the union said: "The report in question was commissioned into matters that took place under the union's previous leadership, which was entirely removed from office several years ago and it would be misleading to suggest otherwise.

"The official overseeing the union's finances from 2010 onwards, and who presided over the decisions and relevant expenditure, was suspended in March 2024 and subsequently dismissed.

"Since being elected in October 2023, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust has applied strict standards and oversight to the union's finances.

"A qualified chartered accountant has been appointed to lead the finance function, ensuring proper financial management and accountability going forward.

"TSSA's finances are subject to regular independent external audits, and no concerns have been identified."

Mr Cortes did not respond when approached for comment by The Telegraph.

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