Former Liberal operative and alleged rapist Bruce Lehrmann has moved out of the $2,000-a-week Sydney unit he lived in rent-free for a year thanks to the Seven Network.
The 28-year-old was spotted moving boxes and a set of golf clubs from his Balgowlah home with boyfriend Rob Porter on Friday afternoon.
It is the first time Mr Lehrmann has been seen in public since his libel trial against Channel 10 and Lisa Wilkinson was spectacularly reopened to hear the testimony of a former Network Seven Spotlight producer.
Ms Wilkinson broke the story on The Project about former colleague Brittany Higgins’ allegations that she was raped by Mr Lehrmann at Parliament House in 2019 – a claim he has always denied.
Network Seven previously confirmed it would stop paying Lehrmann’s rent from Friday after the one-year $100,000 deal, made in exchange for an interview with the network’s flagship current affairs program Spotlight, was completed.
Appearing to make the most of his final week in the luxury digs with a barefoot blonde vaping on his balcony on Sunday, Mr Lehrmann made a trip to Paddington on Monday to meet two friends, including Mr Porter.
Bruce Lehrmann left his luxury Balgowlah unit on Friday after a deal was struck with Network Seven to pay his rent for a year
The Seven Network has hit back at allegations made in court by former producer Taylor Auerbach regarding costs covered on behalf of Bruce Lehrmann ahead of his interview with Spotlight.
Mr Auerbach told the Federal Court on Thursday that he was offered a promotion and a pay rise after he used a company credit card to buy Thai massages for himself and the former Liberal staffer.
Mr Lehrmann has denied receiving a massage.
In a statement, also sent to all staff on Thursday evening, Seven said the company is “appalled” by the allegations, and refused any offer of a pay rise or promotion to Mr Auerbach.
‘Seven is shocked by the allegations made in recent days. We will not tolerate the behavior described in these allegations. They do not reflect the culture of Seven,” the statement said.
“Seven did not offer Mr. Auerbach a promotion or raise in November 2022 and has never offered it since.”
The inside of the unit where Mr Lehrmann stayed, with views over Sydney’s north
Mr. Lehrmann was helped in the move by his friend Rob Porter, a well-known sailor
The court also heard that Mr Lehrmann had bought cocaine and discussed ordering prostitutes during a trip to Sydney, where Mr Auerbach had been appointed as his ‘babysitter’.
“I was reappointed to be his babysitter and nanny, to take care of him … to build a bond in an effort to build trust and some kind of relationship with a potential interview subject,” Mr. Auerbach said.
He said Mr. Lehrmann bought drugs during dinner and later ordered prostitutes.
‘Mr Lehrmann had bought a bag of cocaine while we were dining at Franca’s and when we got to the upstairs room he took it out and started putting it on a plate and then started talking to me about a future Spotlight story and his desire to send prostitutes to the Meriton that night,” Mr Auerbach said.
Ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach (pictured) received rave reviews from Seven’s director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson, who praised his ‘creative flair’ and ‘diligence’.
“And he started Googling a series of websites to make that happen.
“And during that conversation he agreed to participate in a Spotlight interview as long as we didn’t ask him about what happened that night in Canberra.”
A spokesperson for Seven Network said the network has not reimbursed Mr Lehrmann for “expenses allegedly used to pay for illegal drugs or prostitutes and never did”, acknowledging that the matter is still before the courts is.
The media giant has also dismissed Mr Auerbach’s claims that he was told by his boss to delete material relating to Mr Lehrmann from his devices in the days after the Spotlight program aired.
In his affidavit, Mr Auerbach claimed that lawyer Richard Keegan suggested he “watch the whole thing” because “Ten and Lisa are not very happy with the broadcast and might come after us.”
“It might be a good idea to take a look at everything, especially the raw interview tapes,” Mr. Auerbach said he was told.
One of the fully furnished outdoor areas of the Balgowlah unit (photo)
The spectacular view from the balcony of the unit, where a mysterious blonde was spotted barefoot while vaping on Sunday
‘I understood this to mean removing any material that could be harmful to Seven. I followed this direction and permanently deleted everything I could find on my computer and phone at the time.’
Mr Lehrmann’s lawyer, Matthew Richardson SC, questioned in court on Thursday whether this was true.
“Mr. Keegan never told you to destroy or remove anything, did he?” Mr. Richardson asked Mr. Auerbach, who said he “used the words that are in my affidavit.”
“I would suggest that he never even hinted that you would have to do something like that,” Richardson said.
“That is completely incorrect,” Auerbach replied.
Seven Network denied these claims in their statement.
“Contrary to media reports, Seven has complied with all its obligations regarding the production of documents in response to subpoenas issued to the company,” the statement said.
“At no time did Seven ask anyone to remove or destroy any evidence. As previously stated, Seven did not condone or approve the alleged payments to Mr. Lehrmann referenced in the recently released statements.
‘The person involved admitted misuse of a Seven company card and all unauthorized expenses were immediately reimbursed. Seven has always acted appropriately.’
