Key PointsEx-producer Taylor Auerbach has finished testifying about Bruce Lehrmann in a defamation trial. Auerbach mentioned in court that Lehrmann indicated he would only receive access to confidential documents “when you sign me”.Seven has denied the allegations made by Auerbach in court.
This article discusses sexual assault.
A former TV producer claims that Bruce Lehrmann promised access to documents when Seven signed him up for an exclusive interview on its Spotlight program.
Taylor Auerbach, a former Seven Network employee, stated in a Federal Court defamation trial that Lehrmann later leaked text messages obtained by the police from alleged victim Brittany Higgins’ phone.
Lehrmann, a former political aide, is suing over a 2021 interview where Higgins alleged she was raped in Parliament House in 2019.
Lehrmann was not named in the interview, but he claims he was identifiable and that the interview defamed him.
The text messages were part of a document prepared for Lehrmann’s trial for allegedly raping Higgins in Parliament House in 2019, Auerbach testified in the Federal Court on Friday.
Lehrmann denies any sexual misconduct with Higgins. His 2022 trial in the ACT was disrupted due to juror misconduct, leading to the charges being dropped over concerns for Higgins’ well-being.
Lehrmann also denied providing Seven with any information for the Spotlight program, aside from his interview.
Auerbach mentioned that he helped convince Lehrmann to participate in an exclusive interview for Seven’s Spotlight current affairs program.
In an affidavit, Auerbach said he was shown messages between Higgins and journalist Peter Fitzsimmons, which were part of the confidential police file.
Auerbach stated that he saw photos of a document on a laptop displaying screenshots of text messages between the two.
He alleged that the photos were taken by Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn, whose reflection he recognized on the laptop screen.
Auerbach recounted that during a dinner at Sydney restaurant Spice Temple in March 2023, Llewellyn asked Lehrmann if he had documents for the criminal proceedings, to which Lehrmann confirmed.
Auerbach further claimed that Lehrmann made copies of some of the estimated 500 double-sided pages from the criminal case at Seven’s Eveleigh office.
“I saw some of the documents being copied and could tell they were exhibits from the applicant’s criminal proceedings,” Auerbach mentioned in his affidavit.
“I saw, for example, Ms. Higgins’ text messages.”
Auerbach stated that Lehrmann repeatedly mentioned that he would only get access to the documents “when you sign me”.
Seven has also denied Auerbach’s claims, calling them “false and misleading” and stating that they do not disclose journalists’ sources.
During his testimony on Thursday, Auerbach claimed he was tasked with looking after Lehrmann and courting him for the interview.
He recounted that on one occasion in early 2023, he and Lehrmann had dinner at an upscale restaurant in Potts Point before going to a hotel room in the city.
“Channel Seven had arranged for Bruce to stay at the Meriton for what he described as a ‘coming down to Sydney to relax’ trip,” Auerbach mentioned.
When they returned to the hotel suite, Lehrmann allegedly took out a bag of cocaine, which he had bought during dinner, and started searching the internet for sex workers.
Auerbach expressed concern about Lehrmann’s behavior and messaged his then-boss Steve Jackson that the potential interviewee was “on the warpath”.
“I think I used the words, ‘this is f***ed’,” he told the court.
Justice Michael Lee had planned to deliver his final judgment on the defamation case this week but postponed it to allow Network Ten to revisit their case after Auerbach’s allegations came to light.
If Lehrmann’s alleged leaking of documents from the abandoned criminal trial is proven, it would violate the Harman undertaking, which prohibits using information not presented in court for other purposes.
Matthew Richardson SC, representing Lehrmann, suggested to Auerbach that he was being dishonest in his testimony to harm his former employer and colleagues at Seven, a claim the ex-producer denied.
If you need help after reading this story, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you or someone you know needs support regarding sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au
In case of an emergency, call 000.
