Fresh bombshell in Bruce Lehrmann saga as ex-Channel Seven producer Taylor Auerbach threatens to sue HIM over comment about ‘$3000 Thai masseuses’ – with embattled ex-staffer blindsided
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 corporate card without the knowledge of key Spotlight staff. Text messages later emerged showing a senior producer, Steve Jackson, allegedly guiding Mr Auerbach on how to reverse the transaction.
However, Mr Lehrmann denied Mr Auerbach’s version of events last week, 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,’ he said.
Mr Lehrmann acknowledged that he was in Sydney with Mr Auerbach and other Seven staffers that night, but denied using the services of Thai masseuses.
Mr Auerbach has rejected Mr Lehrmann’s denial of the situation and sent him a concerns notice, which is the first step in defamation proceedings.
He claims 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 Mr Lehrmann’s denial 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 Network 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.
In the original News Corp article, Seven asked Mr Auerbach to pay back the money for the massages.
When the producer Mr Jackson found out the next day, he reportedly suggested Mr Auerbach ask the masseuse to reverse the charge and offer to pay cash, along with a $250 bonus for the trouble.
Mr Jackson had reportedly texted Mr Auerbach with a Google translation in Thai for ‘I’ll pay you cash instead’.
The full amount of $2940 was reportedly paid back to Seven on November 29.
On Monday, Mr Auerbach held a bizarre press conference outside his Elizabeth Bay apartment, during which he rejected Mr Lehrmann’s statement.
He is seeking an apology from Mr Lehrmann, plus legal costs.
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured during a day out sailing in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured walking down the pier with sailor, Rob Porter
Meanwhile, a judgement in Mr Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten and Lisa Wilkinson will be handed down next Thursday.
Mr Lehrmann launched the suit last year over an interview between Wilkinson and Brittany Higgins on the network’s flagship program, The Project, in February 2021.
During the broadcast, Ms Higgins alleged she was raped inside Parliament House in 2019. Mr Lehrmann was not named in the broadcast but claimed colleagues and friends were able to identify him as the alleged rapist.
He has continually maintained his innocence.
The matter was heard before Justice Michael Lee over four weeks in the Federal Court in December.
To date, Mr Lehrmann has settled two defamation cases with the ABC and News Corp for a collective $445,000 over the broadcast and publication of the same rape allegations.
He also plans to sue the former the ACT government and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for defamation and malicious prosecution over the way his rape trial was handled.
He was tried in a month-long hearing in October 2022 but the matter was discontinued after the trial ended due to juror misconduct.
The former Director of Public Prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, dropped the matter entirely in December that year citing concerns for Ms Higgins’ mental health.
