Network 10 claims Lehrmann reimbursed by Seven for drugs, prostitutes to appear on Spotlight

A bombshell affidavit from a former Channel 7 producer has seen Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case reopened amid claims from Network 10 the company paid for drugs, prostitutes and a golf trip on his behalf.

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial has been reopened after sensational new evidence alleged he spent money on drugs and prostitutes in return for taking part in an interview with Channel 7’s Spotlight.

The bombshell new evidence is contained in more than 2000 pages given to Network Ten by former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach.

Moments after details of the affidavits were handed to the Federal Court yesterday, a Network Ten report alleged they contained receipts showing Mr Lehrmann had spent a daily work allowance from Seven on illicit drugs and prostitutes from a Sydney brothel.

They also allegedly show Spotlight’s attempts to secure the interview with Mr Lehrmann included a round of golf in Tasmania, expensive meals and massages amounting to more than $10,000. The claims are yet to be tested in court.

In a statement released at 10:44 pm on Tuesday night a Seven Network spokesperson said they strongly rejected “the false and misleading claims relating to the broadcast of material in the Spotlight program.”

Bruce Lehrmann pictured leaving his Balgowlah house. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Seven has never revealed its source or sources and has no intention of doing so,‘’ the spokesperson said.

“Seven notes Mr Lehrmann’s court testimony last year that he was not the source.

“Furthermore, Seven did not condone or authorise the alleged payments to Mr Lehrmann referred to in the affidavits.

“As has been previously reported, the person involved admitted to the misuse of a Seven corporate card and all unauthorised expenses were immediately reimbursed. Seven notes that these proceedings remain before the court.”

The explosive defamation case began when Mr Lehrmann alleged an episode of The Project presented by Lisa Wilkinson suggested he was guilty of sexually assaulting fellow staffer Brittany Higgins in the office of then Liberal ­defence industry minister Linda Reynolds in 2019.

Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz arrive at David Malcolm Justice Centre to meet face-to-face with Linda Reynolds as part of a court-ordered mediation. Reynolds is suing the engaged couple for defamation. Pic Colin Murty

Mr Lehrmann has consistently denied that allegation and a rape charge against him was dropped after a juror caused the trial to be aborted.

Justice Michael Lee was due to give his judgment in the defamation case on Thursday but yesterday delayed that until next week to allow Mr Auerbach to fly back from a holiday in New Zealand and be quizzed by lawyers on Thursday and Friday.

Former Channel 7 producer Taylor Auerbach. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Network Ten lawyer Matthew Collins asked for the case to be reopened because the affidavits provided by Mr Auerbach showed Mr Lehrmann had also provided information to Spotlight that he had received as part of the aborted criminal trial against him.

Under a rule known as the “Harman undertaking”, information obtained during a court case is not allowed to be used for any other purpose and could amount to contempt of court.

Mr Lehrmann has given evidence under oath during the defamation case that he did not provide that information to Spotlight and had only given an onscreen interview in which he said he wanted to “light some fires”.

Network Ten’s lawyers Dr Matthew Collins and Marlia Saunders arriving at the Federal Court in Sydney for the Lehrmann hearing on Tuesday. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The affidavits allege Mr Lehrmann provided previously unseen material, including a recording of a five-hour pre-interview meeting between Wilkinson, producer Angus Llewellyn, Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz in which Wilkinson dismisses Ms Reynolds as an “idiot”.

That material also allegedly contained “2300-odd pages’’ of private texts between Ms Higgins and her ex-boyfriend Ben Dillaway.

Matthew Richardson, Paul Svilans Lawyers for the Lehrmann hearing outside the Federal Court. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Mr Lehrmann has admitted Seven paid his rent for a year in return for the interview.

Wilkinson’s barrister Sue Chrysanthou told the court it would appear “more months’’ of rent was paid to Mr Lehrmann, with properties rented using Mr Auerbach’s name.

Mr Lehrmann’s lawyer later said that amounted to about $10,000.
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Originally published as Network 10 claims Lehrmann reimbursed by Seven for drugs, prostitutes to appear on Spotlight