Latham’s unpaid legal bill raises bankruptcy fears

Mark Latham has failed to repay a significant bill owed to the legal team who represented him in a high-profile defamation case. Now, one of Latham’s colleagues has announced plans for a fundraiser over fears it could make him bankrupt.

Mark Latham has not settled his debts with a former legal team. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Mark Latham has refused to pay a substantial legal bill for more than a year, as a colleague announces plans for a fundraiser to save him if he faces bankruptcy.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal Mr Latham has not settled his debts with his former legal team after he lost the major defamation case against fellow MP Alex Greenwich.

Legal experts have told this masthead the outstanding amount is “easily a six-figure sum.”

The under-fire MP has also been ordered by the Federal Court to pay Mr Greenwich $140,000 in damages plus costs, after he posted highly graphic and offensive comments about Mr Greenwich on social media.

Latham is now appealing that judgment with a new team, lawyer Zali Burrows and barrister Guy Reynolds SC, who are also coincidentally representing Bruce Lehrmann in some of his ongoing legal action.

He is not yet required to pay any money to Mr Greenwich, however should Mr Latham lose this appeal, it’s believed he could be facing total repayments to Mr Greenwich and his previous legal team of more than $800,000.

The Federal Court ordered Mark Latham to pay Alex Greenwich $140,000 plus costs in September over an offensive Tweet. Mr Latham is appealing the matter.

According to the NSW Constitution Act - any MP who “becomes bankrupt” or takes “any benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors” will be removed from their seat.

Speaking in support of Mr Latham this week, fellow Upper House MP John Ruddick said “we cannot afford to lose him.”

“In the event that it gets to that point where he has towering legal costs… I am going to start a GoFundMe campaign and ask 10,000 people to donate $100. Let’s hope he doesn’t go bankrupt, but if that does happen, I will go all out” Mr Ruddick told 2SM Radio.

Mr Ruddick subsequently told this masthead he considered it “unlikely Mark will be forced into bankruptcy, but it is possible” and he was keen to raise money “on Mark’s behalf, as it’s always awkward to ask for money yourself.”

Mark Latham with ex-girlfriend Nathalie Matthews attending The Golden Eagle race during their relationship. Picture: Instagram

This masthead has revealed this week Mr Latham was given $20,000 from his ex-girlfriend Nathalie Matthews in October, in a transaction titled “gift.” Sources close to Ms Matthews say she believed the money was needed for Mr Latham to begin his appeal in the Greenwich matter.

In Ms Matthews’ AVO application she alleges Mr Latham borrowed $20,000 on four occasions “without prompt repayment.”

It has further been revealed Mr Latham exchanged explicit, graphic text messages with his ex-partner Nathalie Matthews while he was sitting in the chamber of the NSW Upper House.

Ms Matthews has now applied for an Apprehended Violence Order against Mr Latham, claiming a “sustained pattern” of abuse, which will be heard later this month.

Mr Latham has denied her claims.

Originally published as Latham’s unpaid legal bill raises bankruptcy fears