Former TV producer Taylor Auerbach told Seven boss the expenses were his

The admission by Taylor Auerbach that the masseuse service ‘had nothing to do with work’ appears to be at odds with his sworn affidavit that it was procured for Bruce Lehrmann’s benefit.

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn. Picture: Adam Taylor

Former Seven producer Taylor Auerbach admitted in an extraordinary email to his then-boss the day after he spent more than $10,000 for a Thai masseuse service using the media company’s corporate credit card that the late-night services “had nothing to do with work”.

The admission, in an email to Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn, appears to be at odds with Mr Auerbach’s sworn affidavit to the Federal Court that the $10,315 he spent at Sensai Thai Massage was incurred “for the benefit” of Bruce Lehrmann.

At the time Mr Auerbach used the Seven credit card to book the services of the two masseuses at his Sydney home, in November 2022, the producer had been assigned to woo Mr Lehrmann – who had been accused of raping Brittany Higgins – for an exclusive interview for the Spotlight program.

But his email to Mr Llewellyn the morning after the massage services does not mention Mr Lehrmann or otherwise suggest the services were for Mr Lehrmann’s benefit. That email does not form part of the court record.

Instead, Mr Auerbach offers his resignation “with profound regret and immense remorse’’, saying he was devastated to have let Mr Llewellyn down.

“Last night and early this morning, in a drunken daze, I put thousand upon thousand of charges on the corporate credit card for something that had nothing to do with work.

“I spiralled out of control and it was probably close to $10k.

“I know how disastrous something like this is at the best of times, let alone when we are under the microscope with finance.’’

Taylor Auerbach, left, and Bruce Lehrmann.

Mr Auerbach told Mr Llewellyn he would pay back the money when he could get it.

“I am disgusted with myself and I apologise with every cell in my body. I don’t know how I could let you down like this. I don’t deserve to keep working on the program.”

The email makes it abundantly clear that the credit card charge was made without Mr Llewellyn’s knowledge or consent.

At Seven’s request, another Spotlight producer, Steve Jackson – who was also not present on the night and had no prior knowledge of the use of the card – sought to have Mr Auerbach reverse the transaction in keeping with the company’s expense policies.

The Australian understands that Mr Auerbach was warned by Seven about his conduct, counselled about alleged drug and alcohol issues and given another chance.

Auerbach was not sacked by Seven when he disclosed his misuse of the credit card in late 2022, but when his contract with the network expired the following year, it was not renewed.

In his affidavit to the Federal Court Mr Auerbach says he made a claim against Seven for “psychological injury” when his contract expired in August last year which was “settled on confidential terms”.

But last month text messages exchanged between Mr Auerbach and Mr Jackson about the attempts to remove the transaction were published by news.com.au.

Auerbach and Jackson had a bitter falling-out, and Auerbach is alleged to be the source of stories relating to the appointment of Mr Jackson as the head of the NSW Police Force Media Unit.

In an extraordinary video obtained by The Australian, Auerbach recorded himself smashing golf clubs belonging to Jackson. Auerbach posted the video on social media last October accompanied by a caption reading “Merry Christmas, sue me” with a laughing emoji. He left the post up for less than a week before deleting it.

Steve Jackson and former colleague Auerbach.

Although Jackson was not involved in any impropriety, his appointment as Executive Director of the Public Affairs branch was cancelled last week by Police Commissioner Karen Webb after damaging headlines over the allegations. A NSW Police statement said the role needed to be free from “external distractions”.

Mr Lehrmann subsequently told The Australian that he did meet with Seven producers on the night in question, but any suggestion he got a massage was untrue.

“It’s an untrue and bizarre story from a disgruntled ex-Network Seven producer,” he said.

“Network Seven have only ever covered reasonable travel for filming and accommodation.”

Mr Auerbach then called a two-minute press conference in which he stated: “I would like to make it abundantly clear that I reject Mr Lehrmann’s accusations”, but refused to answer questions or clarify whether he was confirming that the massages had occurred, despite Mr Lehrmann’s denial.

In his affidavit to the Federal Court Mr Auerbach has alleged that in January 2023 – six weeks after booking the Thai masseuses – Mr Lehrmann paid for illicit drugs and prostitutes at a hotel and Surry Hills brothel. He claims that money was reimbursed to Mr Lehrmann via “per diems”.

Mr Auerbach is now threatening to sue both Mr Lehrmann and Seven for defamation.

Mr Auerbach is expected to give evidence on Thursday at the reconvened defamation trial brought by Mr Lehrmann against the Ten Network and Lisa Wilkinson.