A beauty entrepreneur who alleges one of Australia’s richest men “expected” sex from her in return for a promise to invest in her business has claimed he told her that “no one will ever win against me in litigation” because he has more money.
Linda Rogan, a former Real Housewives of Sydney contender, has asked the Federal Court to set aside a bankruptcy notice issued to her by WiseTech co-founder Richard White over almost $100,000 she claims she spent at his behest to furnish a $13.1 million Vaucluse mansion.
WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Richard White (left) to Linda Rogan.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Rogan has alleged White purchased the luxury home in secret in September 2022 for her to live in with her children but that she never moved into the sprawling pad because White’s girlfriend, former criminal defence lawyer Zena Nasser, discovered the clandestine relationship.
The property was sold again just months later, in February 2023, for $11.5 million.
Among the documents filed by Rogan in the Federal Court are screenshots of WhatsApp messages purportedly between Rogan and White, including a message in which White responded to a video: “F F F Fark - you look stunning” and “you where [sic] going to send me the other property details”.
Rogan claims White asked her to hire an interior decorator and a builder for renovations and told her she would live there “forever, even if I’m not with you”.
In an affidavit filed in the Federal Court, Rogan produced screenshots apparently showing Nasser telling Rogan via WhatsApp on October 27, 2022: “You didn’t have to lie .. Richard admitted it .. so weird .. please don’t come near me again.”
White appears to respond to Rogan separately: “Relax I’ll sort it out … don’t respond.”
“I have ignored. What did you admit? What did you tell her? It’s important I know,” Rogan said.
“Didn’t admit anything,” White allegedly responded.
A series of invoices purportedly showing Rogan’s purchases for the Vaucluse mansion were also produced in court. The documents record tens of thousands of dollars of spending on items, including $2400 each on two outdoor love seats, $6934 on a bed head and base, and $14,256 on two sofas.
In proceedings filed in the NSW Local Court last year, Rogan says she was left “out of pocket” for the furnishings and sought to recover $91,474.20. She claimed White’s solicitor, Justin Betar, locked her out of the eastern suburbs mansion on November 15, 2022, at his client’s instruction.
Rogan secured a garnishee order in April last year, allowing her to take $92,123.20 from White’s bank account. However, White later succeeded in having that order set aside, and he issued a bankruptcy notice to Rogan on August 15 this year to recover the money.
Rogan, who owns laser clinics in Double Bay, Cairns and St Lukes in Auckland, New Zealand, is seeking to have the bankruptcy notice set aside in the Federal Court on the basis that it is “actuated by malice and is an abuse of process” because it was issued for a collateral purpose.
In a legal letter on September 11, Rogan’s solicitor, Kate MacDonald, alleged the bankruptcy notice was issued in the context of “our clients’ former sexual relationship being discovered by Ms Nasser”.
White’s lawyer, Justin Betar, responded in a letter on September 14 that “the accusations concerning the bankruptcy notice … are denied”.
In an affidavit filed in the Local Court, Betar said there was “no direction” made by White to Rogan “in respect of the purchase of the furniture”.
‘No one will ever win’
Rogan claimed in a Federal Court affidavit that White told her during their relationship words to the effect of: “No one will ever win against me in litigation as I have more money, and they will always run out of money.”
In the affidavit, she foreshadowed that she would commence separate proceedings against White in the NSW District Court. This appears to relate to a proposed business deal that did not eventuate.
‘You are stunning’
Screenshots of Instagram messages annexed by Rogan to a separate affidavit appear to show Nasser messaged Rogan in June 2022 and said: “We have some mutual friends and you came up on my page .. I don’t do this ever but I was like I have to message this stunning lady x”.
Rogan was touted last year as a potential cast member on The Real Housewives of Sydney, but the TV deal did not proceed.
Nasser also appeared to ask, referring to a photo of Rogan in a black blazer and bra: “Honey where is your top from .. you are stunning” and “Soo hot! Wow just wow.”
Later, Nasser said that Rogan would meet White and “he is soo smart”. Rogan asked if she should invite her husband and Nasser replied that she would probably ask another female friend and “Richard doesn’t do well with men”, followed by a laughing emoji.
“Richard only joining because I told him your [sic] helping me get sexy haha,” Nasser allegedly said.
Rogan has claimed she and White started messaging each other after meeting at a dinner with Nasser in August 2022. She said she “genuinely believed he was interested in investing in my business” Bionik Wellness, but realised after “a few weeks” that he was pursuing a sexual relationship.
Rogan said she sold her stake in Bionik Wellness in February this year after White’s offer of financial backing did not materialise.
“On 17 September, I travelled to New York at the request of Richard. When I arrived at the Park Lane Hotel to check in, I was informed that only 1 suite had been arranged.
“I realised that Richard expected me to enter into a sexual relationship with him to fulfil the promise that he would invest in my business. So ... our relationship became sexual.”
The allegations in Rogan’s affidavit have not been tested in court. The bankruptcy fight is listed for a preliminary hearing on October 15.
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