TV bosses bracing ahead of bombshell investigation

A Four Corners investigation into Seven’s workplace culture titled Don’t Speak that has already led to a high profile departures will air on Monday night with TV executives bracing for fallout.

Featuring interviews with Amber Harrison, the former lover of Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner and current and former staff, the program follows the sex and cocaine scandal that erupted over Spotlight’s attempts to woo former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann with boozy dinners on a Channel 7 credit card.

In a teaser for the program released on Thursday Ms Harrison utters the words, “silence for life” suggesting her interview will be short as she remains bound by a strict confidentiality clause.

Launching a promo for the Four Corners investigation, reporter Louise Milligan said the story had been “a long time coming”.

“The fear is visceral, I haven’t seen anything like it,’’ employment lawyer Josh Bornstein says in the promo.

It quotes former Channel 7 Perth presenter Mark Gibson as suggesting the network was a “very dysfunctional family.”

“I wouldn’t just call it a second chance club. I would call it a third, fourth and fifth club,’’ he says.

Another young woman describes it as “one of the most soul crushing places you can work in.”

“They shouldn’t be in business if that is what they are doing to young women. How do they sleep at night,’’ she said.

News.com.au has contacted Channel 7 for comment.

Channel 7’s Robert Ovadia sacked

Channel 7’s executive team are bracing for any fallout from the investigation which has already been linked to a string of high profile departures including crime reporter Robert Ovadia.

Veteran reporter Robert Ovadia, who denies any impropriety, has launched legal action against Network Seven and its news boss, claiming he was unlawfully sacked.

News of Ovadia’s removal came on June 21, after the media company said it was conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The alleged conduct reportedly included the exchange of messages with a female colleague four years ago.

No formal complaint was made about the matter.

Channel 7’s credit card used for $10,000 ‘massage’

The program follows News.com.au’s expose of the Spotlight program’s attempts to secure former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s first television interviews.

News.com.au has been nominated for three Kennedy awards for the investigation including best investigation, online news breaking and legal and court reporting.

Mr Auerbach’s claims are set out in four affidavits filed in the Federal Court that include receipts of Sensai Thai Massage, that are estimated in Auerbach’s affidavit at “approximately $10,315”.

On another night Mr Auerbach alleges he took drugs and partied with prostitutes, there was also a meal at Franca restaurant in Potts Point with Mr Lehrmann, costing $517.97.

And there is a bill for $8115.80 for accommodation for Mr Lehrmann, and another for $3622.50.

Auerbach alleges in one of his affidavits that Seven paid for a taxi for Mr Lehrmann from Franca restaurant in Potts Point to Meriton Sydney on January 5 last year, and Mr Lehrmann paid “for illicit drugs and prostitutes that evening at the Meriton and the following evening at a brothel in Surry Hills”.

Seven has contested the claims. Mr Lehrmann has previously denied getting a Thai massage on the Sensai Thai massage evening where $10,000 was spent on two outcall workers.

Auerbach’s alleged use of illicit drugs and partying with sex workers was without Mr Llewellyn’s consent.

Seven fights back

Seven chief executive James Warburton sent out a note to staff earlier this year saying the claims that have emerged are not part of the broadcaster’s culture.

“Seven is appalled by the allegations made in court in recent days. We do not condone the behaviours described in these allegations. They do not reflect the culture of Seven,’’ he said.

“For the record, Seven did not offer a promotion or pay rise to Taylor Auerbach in November 2022, nor did it do so at any time after that.

“Seven did not reimburse Bruce Lehrmann for expenditure that has allegedly been used to pay for illegal drugs or prostitutes, and has never done so.

“We also take issue with the allegations recently made about our conduct.

“Contrary to the claims reported in the media, Seven complied with all of its obligations in relation to producing documents in response to subpoenas issued to it.”

Mr Warburton said Seven had at no point asked anyone to delete or destroy any evidence.

“Seven did not condone or authorise the alleged payments to Mr Lehrmann referred to in the affidavits recently made public. The person involved admitted to the misuse of a Seven corporate card and all unauthorised expenses were immediately reimbursed,’’ he said.

“Seven has acted appropriately at all times.”