Bruce Lehrmann sued by ex-landlord Lady Gaenor Meakes

Bruce Lehrmann is being sued by the owner of a luxury bachelor pad in Sydney in which he stayed for a year on Seven’s dime.

Bruce Lehrmann is being sued by his former landlord. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Bruce Lehrmann is being sued by the owner of a luxury bachelor pad in which he stayed for a year on the Seven Network’s dime.

Lady Gaenor Meakes, the owner of the multimillion-dollar property, has launched proceedings against the former Liberal staffer in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

A conciliation listing date has been set for May 23, to be held at the Civic Tower in Sydney.

Mr Lehrmann moved out of the Balgowlah property on Sydney’s northern beaches just over a month ago. The Australian understands he left the property earlier than expected, cutting the lease short by about three weeks.

During Mr Lehrmann’s mammoth defamation trial against Network 10 and presenter Lisa Wilkinson, the former Liberal staffer revealed Seven paid his rent at the Balgowlah accommodation for a full year in exchange for an exclusive interview on its flagship current affairs show, Spotlight.

The rent cost the network $2000 a week, amounting to more than $100,000 total.

Mr Lehrmann on the balcony of the home on Sydney’s northern beaches. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The multimillion-dollar Balgowlah home. Picture: Monique Harmer

Lady Meakes is the wife of champion sailor Mark Richards – the long-time skipper of Wild Oats XI and nine times line honours winner of the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht race.

Seven has long been a primary sponsor of Wild Oats.

Mr Richards transferred the property to Lady Meakes after the couple bought it for $2.4m in 2019. It was granted a council permit for a renovation worth $98,654 in March 2020 before it was placed on the market for rent.

The Australian understands Mr Lehrmann’s name was on the lease, but the property was paid for through Seven’s finance department.

It is unclear what the reason for Lady Meakes’ NCAT action is.

Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach came forward with fresh evidence at the end of the trial, alleging Seven also reimbursed Mr Lehrmann for prostitutes and illicit drugs.

Further expenses paid by Seven for Mr Lehrmann’s benefit, according to Auerbach, included:

• $10,315 on massages;
• $401.83 on a round of golf in Tasmania;
• $259 on a meal at the Bridport Hotel in Tasmania;
• $517 on a meal at Franca in Sydney’s Potts Point;
• $450 on a meal at Spice Temple in the Sydney CBD;
• $555 on a meal at Chophouse Restaurant in the Sydney CBD, including $361 on a Tomahawk steak;
• $11,738.30 on accommodation in Randwick in Sydney’s east.

Seven has denied authorising the alleged payments to Mr Lehrmann referred to in Auerbach’s affidavits.

Lady Gaenor Meakes.

Mark Richards.

After Mr Lehrmann moved out of the Balgowlah property he moved into a home in North Sydney that was being rented by his friend Paul Farrell.

He shortly left the home, with neighbours complaining of loud karaoke and heavy partying throughout the night. During his stay, Mr Lehrmann was also seen leaving the property with a number of different women.

Mr Lehrmann is understood to no longer be in NSW, after Federal Court judge Michael Lee last month found the former Liberal staffer had, on the balance of probabilities, raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House.

Appeals silk Guy Reynolds SC is leading a new team to appeal Justice Lee’s landmark judgment, which found Ten and Wilkinson did not defame Mr Lehrmann when interviewing Ms Higgins on The Project in early 2021.

Criminal defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC is also rumoured to have offered to lend her services to Mr Reynolds, due to extensive experience with sexual assault trials, most recently winning a case for ex-Wallaby Kurtley Beale.

Mr Lehrmann has been granted an extension until May 27 to file the appeal.

Justice Lee last week indicated he would soon make a costs ruling in Ten’s favour following the conclusion of the defamation trial, which could see Mr Lehrmann pay up to $5 million in legal bills.

Mr Lehrmann is currently unemployed and expected to be unable to pay the costs.

Seven has been contacted for comment.