Billionaire Richard White hopes for ‘quick trial’ in money fight against ex-lover and entrepreneur Linda Rogan

Lawyers for billionaire and WiseTech CEO Richard White have called for a speedy trial in a court fight with his ex-lover and allegedly duped business partner, Linda Rogan.

Linda Rogan (left) arrives at Federal Court on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/Nikki Short

Billionaire Richard White wants a “quick trial” against his former lover Linda Rogan, with a one-day final hearing date set for next year, the Federal Court has heard.

A fight over money has erupted between the pair, with Ms Rogan fighting a bankruptcy application Mr White has lodged against her. 

That fight is about $91,000 worth of luxury furniture she purchased — allegedly at Mr White’s direction — to deck out a secret mansion worth $13.1m in Sydney’s Vaucluse that he bought for her in 2022.

Ms Rogan has alleged Mr White offered to invest in her business, Bionik Wellness, in exchange for sex. But after their relationship turned from professional to sexual, Ms Rogan claimed it was discovered Mr White’s girlfriend Zena Nasser.

As a result, Ms Rogan says in court documents she defaulted on a deal to take over Bionik Wellness, she was locked out of the mansion and was left with the purchased furniture.

Ms Rogan then successfully sought court garnishee orders to withdraw the $91,000 from Mr White’s Westpac account. And now, Mr White has launched bankruptcy action against her, in a bid to get that money back.

During a brief hearing on Tuesday morning, Mr White’s barrister Jeremy Giles SC said: “We have a unsurprising … (hope) for a quick trial in this matter.”

Mr Giles told the court there was “no need” for Ms Rogan’s legal team to serve subpoenas on Ms Nasser and Mr White’s long-time solicitor, Justin Betar.

He said Mr White agreed to produce the documents called for in the case.

As well, the court heard it’s likely there will be a fight about what documents produced fall under legal professional privilege and could be concealed from parties.

Ms Rogan’s barrister Bridie Nolan told the court she had no concerns about having the matter heard this year, but she had limited availability.

Ultimately, the parties have agreed to a final, one day hearing on February 6 before Federal Court judge Nye Perram.

Originally published as Billionaire Richard White hopes for ‘quick trial’ in money fight against ex-lover and entrepreneur Linda Rogan