WiseTech employee and billionaire Richard White court proceedings dismissed on eve of hearing

A court case lodged by a Brazilian national who accused the billionaire of forcing her to have a sexual relationship with him in exchange for visa support and English lessons will not proceed.

WiseTech founder Richard White. Picture: Nic Walker

A court case lodged by former WiseTech employee and Brazilian national Caroline Heidemann, who accused billionaire Richard White of forcing her to have a sexual relationship with him in exchange for visa support and English lessons, has been dismissed.

Less than 24 hours before the first hearing in the case was scheduled in the NSW Federal Court, both parties agreed to withdraw.

Mr White declined to comment and Ms Heidemann was contacted for comment.

Ms Heidemann sued Mr White, his wife Zena Nasser and private investment company Realwise in February.

Linda Rogan (left) arriving at Federal Court amid the court case with her ex-lover Richard White. Picture: Nikki Short

She alleged Mr White cultivated a personal relationship with her, “presenting himself as a mentor and benefactor while developing romantic and coercive control over her” according to allegations contained in court documents seen by The Australian.

News about Ms Heidemann’s matter followed a tumultuous 2024 for Mr White and his ASX-listed logistics business WiseTech after it emerged in court he and Real Housewives of Sydney contender Linda Rogan were embroiled in a bitter dispute after an affair between the two soured.

Ms Rogan alleged Mr White promised to help fund her wellness business in exchange for sex. The pair settled the case last year.

The Australian also revealed another woman, Jenna Riches, accused Mr White of offering her business advice in exchange for sex. Mr White has denied wrongdoing as other affairs have come to light.

WiseTech conducted a governance review, which was only partially released in March, and found Mr White misled the board about the nature of one of his relationships. Four independent directors have left the board, including chairman Richard Dammery.

After working as a general hand for about 15 months at WiseTech, Ms Heidemann’s role was made redundant in May 2020, she alleged.

Mr White convinced her to accept a job as a business consultant with Realwise to develop its business in Latin America.

Jenna Riches came forward to say she was a woman duped by Richard White. Picture: Jane Dempster

“(Mr White) assured the applicant that she would receive a salary, be provided with accommodation, have her visa sponsored with a view to her acquiring a permanent visa, and, additionally, as part of her career development, have the expenses incurred in studying English paid,” Ms Heidemann alleged.

But, Ms Heidemann claimed Mr White and Realwise failed to pay her wages or superannuation, despite her full-time position.

“Instead, the first respondent (Mr White) provided limited access to financial resources to the applicant (Ms Heidemann) via a credit card which she was permitted to use through Apple Pay, which financial resources were frequently restricted or withdrawn, leaving the applicant in financial distress,” her court documents read.

“Throughout the period of the employment arrangement, the first respondent (Mr White) systematically used this financial control over the applicant as a means of securing her sexual compliance, leveraging her economic dependency to manipulate her into intimate sexual relations with him at his insistence.

“The first respondent made it clear that financial assistance was contingent upon the applicant engaging in a personal and sexual relationship with him.”

Ms Heidemann alleged the billionaire “withheld” financial support, which threatened her immigration status, when she resisted his sexual advances.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Mr White and Realwise ignored or evaded Ms Heidemann’s repeated questions about unpaid wages and the status of her employment and her sponsorship, she alleged.

After a tumultuous 2024, Richard White regained control of his company. Picture: Aaron Francis

She alleged Mr White “engaged in delay tactics, making vague promises about financial support and work visa sponsorship, only to later withdraw his support, often at the behest of the third respondent (Ms Nasser)”.

Ms Heidemann also claimed Ms Nasser sent her hostile and threatening messages, instructing her to “stop demanding financial support and return to her home country”.

“(Mr White) in parallel, ceased communication, blocked the applicant’s messages, and abruptly ended the permanent visa sponsorship process that had been promised,” the documents alleged.

According to her filings, Realwise sponsored Ms Heidemann for a temporary visa, which was granted on February 3, 2023.

She alleged the visa limited her ability to work outside of her job at Realwise, “further entrenching her dependency on him”.

As well, Mr White arranged for Ms Heidemann to live in an apartment in Mascot. Mr White paid the rent and all expenses, according to the court documents.

Ms Heidemann was employed as a general hand at WiseTech from January 2019 until May 2020. She was claiming unpaid wages and entitlements worth $150,000, general and aggravated damages worth $500,000 and exemplary damages worth $500,000.

Ms Heidemann also alleged Mr White, Ms Nasser and RealWise could be liable for breaching the FairWork Act, with the overall claim potentially worth more than $7.7m.

Originally published as WiseTech employee and billionaire Richard White court proceedings dismissed on eve of hearing