Veteran Seven reporter investigated for ‘inappropriate conduct’

The Seven network’s Sydney newsroom is in shock after management launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by veteran crime reporter Robert Ovadia. He denies the allegations.

The Channel 7 newsroom is said to be in shock after the chief of staff’s departure. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The Seven network’s Sydney newsroom is in shock after management launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by veteran crime reporter Robert Ovadia.

A network spokesperson on Friday confirmed: “Robert Ovadia is on leave. Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Robert Ovadia.”

The allegations are understood to have come to light in the wake of investigations by ABC’s Four Corners into workplace culture at the network.

The Daily Telegraph understands Ovadia has been accused of sending an inappropriate text message to a female colleague.

She is understood to have worked behind the scenes and was not an on-air reporter.

When contacted on Friday, Ovadia provided a brief statement denying the allegations and refused to comment further.

Channel 7 crime reporter Robert Ovadia.

Channel 7’s Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony DeCeglie.

“Seven had told me no current or former colleagues have made any complaint against me, as far as I am aware. I have not been stood down by the company,” he said.

He added “any suggestion I have been inappropriate at any time is false, malicious and will be defended”.

In a separate move, the newsroom’s highly respected chief-of-staff Andrew Frampton has also suddenly departed.

It is not alleged any allegations have been made against Frampton. Rather, his departure is understood to come as the station’s new boss continues to wield power and make mass changes.

Frampton, who has ably lead the newsdesk for the past six years, was called into a meeting on Thursday and left the building soon after.

New Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony DeCeglie is currently working to cut costs at the station.

Shock departure … former chief of staff at Channel 7 Andrew Frampton.

It’s understood Frampton and Ovadia are two of the newsroom’s highest paid employees.

On Friday afternoon, Channel 7 employees in the Sydney newsroom were informed there had been “some changes to the newsdesk”.

An email to all staff from Sydney News Director Neil Warren read: “Congratulations to Patrick Dybell who will take on the crucial role of chief of staff.”

Warren then said: “I’d like to thank outgoing chief of staff Andrew Frampton for his many years of loyal service with 7News.

“Andrew’s departure comes as we restructure into a digital first newsroom and it was entirely amicable and on good terms.

“We wish him all the best in his next endeavour, which we’re sure he’ll excel at.”

Sources within the building said staff were distraught at Frampton’s departure and shocked Ovadia was the subject of an internal investigation.

One Seven staffroom member on Friday said: “The place is gutted … two of the biggest personalities and hardest workers.”

However a different source at Seven said new boss Anthony DeCeglie had launched a range of internal reviews immediately after arriving in Sydney in a bid to improve the workplace culture.

The senior newsroom staffer at Seven spoke overwhelmingly in favour of DeCeglie’s actions.

Frampton and Seven have been contacted for comment.
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