- Former Channel Seven producer threatens to sue Bruce Lehrmann
- Saga involves a night out and two pricey Thai massages
A former Channel Seven producer is threatening to sue Bruce Lehrmann for defamation over an alleged saga involving a night out and thousands of dollars worth of Thai massages.
A News Corp story last week claimed Taylor Auerbach used a Seven West credit card to book two $1000 Thai massages – one for him and one for Mr Lehrmann – in the early hours of November 26, 2022.
It was also reported that Mr Lehrmann stayed at Mr Auerbach’s home in Elizabeth Bay for some hours after the massage, and expenses amounting to a total of $2940 were charged to the corporate card.
The late-night meeting was said to have taken place during negotiations for Mr Lehrmann’s exclusive interviews on the network’s program, Spotlight, which aired in June and August last year.
It is understood Mr Auerbach used the Seven West card without the knowledge of key Spotlight staff. Text messages later emerged showing a senior Spotlight producer, Steve Jackson, allegedly guiding Mr Auerbach on how to reverse the transaction.
However, Mr Lehrmann denied Mr Auerbach’s version of events, telling media: ‘It’s an untrue and bizarre story from a disgruntled ex-Network Seven producer.’
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs during a sailing outing
Taylor Auerbach (pictured) stopped working for Channel Seven last year. He took a role with Sky News earlier this year
‘Network Seven only ever covered reasonable travel for filming and accommodation.’
Mr Auerbach says those comments are false and sent Mr Lehrmann a concerns notice, which is the first step in defamation proceedings, amid concerns the denial could harm his reputation.
Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Lehrmann had not received the notice as of lunchtime on Thursday because he was golfing, and learned about the situation via media reports.
Mr Auerbach did not want to comment on the situation when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
His solicitor Rebekah Giles told the Sydney Morning Herald that her client claims Mr Lehrmann’s comments about the evening in question was ‘false’.
‘The press statement is likely to devastate Mr Auerbach’s professional reputation,’ she said.
She said Mr Lehrmann’s statement carried the defamatory imputation that ‘Taylor Auerbach lied to the press about Bruce Lehrmann being bought a massage by a Seven Network employee’.
Taylor Auerbach’s solicitor is Rebekah Giles (pictured left, with barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC)
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured with Rob Porter at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
Mr Auerbach was employed by Channel Seven until late 2023. He started working for Sky News Australia earlier this year.
Ms Giles said her client’s employment with Sky was terminated on March 22 – the day after Mr Lehrmann’s public denial.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk