‘I’ve never smoked. I don’t use drugs... I don’t even drink coffee’: New 7 CEO’s leaked all-in staff email

Incoming Seven CEO Jeff Howard has declared he’s a family man who doesn’t smoke, do drugs or drink coffee in a leaked all-in staff memo.

Incoming Seven CEO Jeff Howard has promised his new leadership will be free of the sex-and-cocaine scandals at Spotlight, candidly telling staff he doesn’t smoke and has never taken drugs in his life.

Mr Howard is the former chief financial officer at Channel 7. News.com.au understands he signed the deed for ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach’s $150,000 deal to walk away from the network in a no admissions confidential non-disparagement agreement.

But having taken over the reins today from outgoing CEO James Warbuton he delivered an extraordinary note to all staff in the wake of revelations a Channel 7 credit card was used to book $10,000 in Thai massages in a single night, before the charges were reversed.

“It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for the great people of Seven,’’ Mr Howard said in his note to staff.

“And as we transition to a new future, I thought some reflections may help us move forward

“First, some disclosures. As a family man first and foremost. I’ve never smoked. I don’t use drugs.

“Never have, never will. Call me boring but I don’t even drink coffee. Personally. I like to stay fit and try to run every day.

“Occasional glass of red or a beer hits the spot. Importantly, that’s just me. People can do what they want in their own time.

“I wont judge. But when it impacts others - or the workplace - that’s a different story.”

Incoming Seven CEO Jeff Howard (right) with outgoing boss James Warburton (left). Picture: Seven

News.com.au understands Mr Howard signed the deed for ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach’s (above) $150,000 deal to walk away from the network. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Howard also took aim at the ‘whatever it takes’ culture and said that when people are paid for interviews as Bruce Lehrmann was, that it should be disclosed.

“Our business exists in a world of intense competition,’’ he said.

“Are, we the only ones who pay for content? Absolutely not. Should we be honest about it Absolutely. We all want to win. Do we condone a ‘win at all costs’ attitudee? No, we don’t.

Mr Howard urged staff to stick to tried and tested processes and to exercise judgment to “ensure we don’t jeopardise the reputation we’ve spent years building.”

“If poor judgement or unacceptable behaviour persists, or is outside our comfort zone, we will investigate. If necessary, we will have to move people on.”

Former Spotlight producer Mark Llewellyn (above) has left the program in the wake of the fallout

Seven executives claim Mr McPherson and former Spotlight producer Mark Llewellyn have been “blaming each other” over the Spotlight EP’s decision not to sack Mr Auerbach on the spot after he spent $10,000 on a credit card. Picture: Instagram.

The Seven West board, led by Kerry Stokes, has recently probed shock claims of cocaine and sex workers plaguing investigative program Spotlight, with questions raised over the extent of knowledge in the finance department and among Seven executives.

News.com.au understands that news and current affairs boss Craig McPherson told the board he was left in the dark over Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach’s alleged socialising with Bruce Lehrmann involving brothels and prostitutes.

Mr McPherson was not grilled in person at Thursday’s board meeting, but Channel 7 sources familiar with the discussions say that the board wanted more information from executives and the finance department about what had occurred.

The news and current affairs boss confirmed he knew nothing about a subsequent $750 invoice for “pre-production expenses” for Mr Lehrmann.

But the board wanted to know more from the finance department about why and how it was paid.

“How the hell were things like $750 to Lehrmann paid without supporting documents? Pretty full on,’’ a Seven source said.

James Warburton (left) and Jeff Howard (right) in 2022. Picture: Seven West Media

Seven executives claim Mr McPherson and former Spotlight producer Mark Llewellyn have been “blaming each other” over the Spotlight EP’s decision not to sack Mr Auerbach on the spot after he spent $10,000 on a credit card.

Mr McPherson is the partner of TV star Sonia Kruger. He has been contacted for comment.

News.com.au has confirmed that board members learned of the sex and drugs scandal from media reports and that questions were asked about the extent of knowledge among executives and the finance department.

Mr Llewellyn has now left the program in the wake of the fallout and his chief of staff, Steve Jackson, has left too, after being briefly mooted for a $300,000 job running police media.

As Justice Michael Lee began delivering his judgment in the Lehrmann defamation case this week, Seven issued a press release saying “Mark Llewellyn no longer works for the Seven Network”.

Both Mr Llewellyn and Mr Jackson had no knowledge of Mr Auerbach’s decision to book $10,000 in Thai massages before the event, but were aware of attempts to reverse the credit card charges after Mr Auerbach confessed to what had happened.

Mr Llewellyn decided to give Mr Auerbach another chance and did not accept his resignation.

“People who know me and people who work with me know that I have always insisted and always say that we must fight hard but we must never lie or deceive,” Mr Llewellyn told news.com.au last week.

“We have to fight harder than other shows because we don’t have their big, bloated budgets. Ratings are obviously important in a commercial world but NOT at the expense of getting (and telling) stories honestly and treating the people we interview the same way. And my team knows my firm views.”

Originally published as ‘I’ve never smoked. I don’t use drugs... I don’t even drink coffee’: New 7 CEO’s leaked all-in staff email