David Sharaz offered to get Project to film alleged rape couch because Labor MP ‘owed me’
Brittany Higgins’ partner sent hundreds of text messages to a Ten producer working with Lisa Wilkinson in the days before her rape allegation was aired.
Brittany Higgins partner David Sharaz told Channel Ten before the program aired that he could organise for The Project to film a leather couch in a Labor MP’s office similar to the one his partner was allegedly raped on because he had contacts who “owe him”.
The conversations are detailed in hundreds of text messages that Mr Sharaz sent to a Ten producer working with Lisa Wilkinson in the days before the broadcast.
The messages also detail Ms Higgins “stress grabbing” a $90 bottle of Bollinger from a hotel room bar fridge after she spoke to Ms Wilkinson and Channel Ten’s attempt to offer Ms Higgins access to counselling services.
On February 3, 2021, Mr Sharaz texted the Channel Ten producer Angus Llewellyn at 6am and said he can get a Labor MP to help film a couch. The mystery MP is not named.
“Hey mate, me again. If you need an MPs office to film in secretly. I know some Labor MPs who owe me. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind us filming their couch etc (they’re all the same),’’ Mr Sharaz wrote.
“You’ve probably got your own avenues but I wanted to just offer that to you.”
Mr Llewellyn replies at 7:50 am “Thanks.”
On January 29, 2021 Mr Sharaz and Mr Llewellyn exchanged more than 40 messages in one day commencing at 8am and ending at 4pm that day.
The same day, Mr Sharaz raises concerns The Project won’t publish without a live police complaint.
“To be honest, Britt is freaked out. She’s worried that without the police etc you’re not going to run this. She’s in a bad place so I can’t really ask her anything at the moment,’’ he wrote.
Channel Ten’s producer Angus Llewellyn replies, “That’s fine. At this stage I have to do lots of work but we will be running this story.
“We’d also like to offer psychology help to B. When is she seeing someone?,’’ he said.
On February 5, 2021, Ms Higgins emailed police and the next day she attended a police station in Canberra telling them she had been interviewed by the media.
The same day Mr Sharaz texted again.
“Hey mate, we’re good. Britt went to the police today. Her file is locked down but has been re-opened,’’ he wrote.
“They’re not proceeding with anything until after all the media stuff but wouldn’t give us a printed doc but said they would probably confirm over statement that something happened etc if asked.”
“Not sure if that’s helpful? Now Britt’s left I’m guessing you start the approaches for comment etc?
“Yes but not too soon. We don’t want to spark anything that triggers the domino effect of one group tipping off the next,’’ the Ten producer replies.
“We will continue to work with our lawyers next week about the best plan. The first paper edit is in place.”
During another discussion over when the story will be published by news.com.au and when The Project will air, Mr Sharaz urges the date to be finalised quickly.
“Britt is starting to feel a little like a commodity, when really .. her life is about to implode. She’s getting nothing out of this,’’ Mr Sharaz said.
“Totally get the producing side of things etc and you’ve been really good. so I’m not having a dig, but the pressure has to be removed from Britt.”
After the first meeting with Lisa Wilkinson and the producer, Mr Sharaz messages to say that Ms Higgins had grabbed a bottle of Bollinger out the bar fridge in the hotel that Channel Ten was paying for.
“Hey mate, heads up. Brittany stress grabbed the closest bottle of alcohol last night after you both left and was a little panicked. I looked at it was the Bollinger,’’ he wrote.
“I’m happy to obviously pay for that one. I looked at it and it was like $90.”
However, the producer wrote back confirming that he could probably sort it out without the couple needing to pay.
On February 5, he also contacted Channel Ten about claiming receipts for a visit to Sydney for the interview.
“Confirming you got those receipts? I think I used your ten email,’’ Mr Sharaz said.
“All good they added up haha. Sorry there were so many.”
“No worries,’’ the Ten producer replies.
Four days later, Mr Sharaz asks when the incidentals will be paid.
“Hey mate, without sounding cheap just wondering when those reimbursements are likely to be paid? We’re a one income household now haha,’’ he wrote.
The next day he texts again about his contact with Ross Dagan, the Channel Ten News director.
“Full disclosure . way before I decided Lisa I messaged Ross Dagon (sic) about how to get in touch with you guys etc. (didn’t give him info of anything) but he’s messaged me to ask if I can get in contact,’’ Mr Sharaz wrote.
“So I have ignored that. Initially he tried to make me to through that.”
“Hmm. Ok. Keep ignoring I suppose!,’’ the Ten producer replies.
“Oh definitely will,’’ Mr Sharaz says. “Haha”
On January 28, 2021, Mr Sharaz messages again that Ms Higgins is quitting her job.
“Hey mate, Brittany is planning to quit tomorrow. She has a two week notice period, but I think she’s going to see if she can go on stress leave,’’ he said.
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“They might ask her to just go. Do you need her to ask for that CCTV again?.”
The Ten producer replies that he “wants what is what’s best for Brittany.”
“You don’t owe us anything - do not feel compelled even slightly. What’s best for B’s health and her mental health is how I’d suggest you make your decisions,’’ he said.