An email that former Seven producer Taylor Auerbach sent to his bosses after spending thousands of dollars on Thai massages using a company credit card has been revealed.
Auerbach says in a Federal Court affidavit that he spent $10,315 on the network’s corporate card at Sensai Thai Massage “for the benefit” of Bruce Lehrmann.
In an email to bosses, which has been seen by The Australian but is not part of the court file, Auerbach offers to resign when he clears up the overnight expenses.
“Last night and early this morning, in a drunken state, I made thousands and thousands of charges on the corporate credit card for something that had nothing to do with work,” the email is reported to read.
‘I got out of control and was probably close to $10,000.
“I know how disastrous something like this is in the best of times, let alone when we are under the financial microscope.”
Mr. Auerbach goes on to explain that he will return the money when he can.
“I am disgusted with myself and I apologize with every cell in my body,” he wrote. ‘I don’t know how I could disappoint you like that. I don’t deserve to continue working on the show.’
Seven did not fire Auerbach after the night out at the end of 2022, but his contract was not renewed.
Lehrmann, who denies raping Brittany Higgins, has said he did not receive a massage on the night in question but did meet with Seven producers.
Former Seven producer Taylor Auerbach admitted to his boss the day after spending more than $10,000 on Thai massages on a company credit card that the services had “nothing to do with work.”
Auerbach says in a Federal Court affidavit that he spent $10,315 on the network’s corporate card at Sensai Thai Massage “for the benefit” of Bruce Lehrmann.
Mr. Auerbach has provided copies of the receipts to the court
In Auerbach’s three affidavits, he claims Channel Seven spent thousands of dollars to cover Lehrmann’s costs for sex workers, drugs, accommodation and lavish dinners, all in exchange for exclusive interviews.
The explosive claims were enough for Judge Michael Lee to reopen Lehrmann’s defamation case after an urgent hearing on Tuesday.
Some of Mr. Auerbach’s claims were outlined during that hearing, but have not yet been proven in court. He will take the witness stand Thursday afternoon.
According to his affidavits, Auerbach claims he has photographs and text showing that Channel Seven covered specific expenses for Lehrmann, including a $517 meal at Franca in Potts Point on Jan. 5, 2023.
Auerbach also said Seven paid for a meal at Spice Temple in Sydney’s CBD on January 6, worth $450, and a $555 meal at the Chophouse restaurant on January 31, which included a $361 tomahawk steak. and a shrimp toast for $48.
He also claimed Seven paid for a meal between Spotlight producer Mark Llewellyn, Auerbach, Lehrmann and their friend, former Liberal Party aide John Macgowan, on December 18 in Bridport, Tasmania.
Seven also covered the costs of a round of golf in Barnbougle, Tasmania, worth $401.
Auerbach also claims he has massage receipts for Lehrmann worth about $10,000.
The photo shows a promotion for the massage parlor.
In addition, he said Seven also reimbursed Lehrmann money for the cost of a brothel and drugs visit in January 2023, but that he no longer had those invoices.
“I recall that the money paid by the applicant for illicit drugs and prostitutes that night at the Meriton and the following night at a brothel in Surry Hills was refunded to the applicant by Seven,” the affidavit said.
He said the invoice was paid by invoice to Spitlight’s unit manager in early January 2023, adding: “I no longer have a copy of this invoice.”
Mr Auerbach also claimed that Mr Lehrmann secured accommodation in a house in Randwick, on the eastern outskirts, which was rented in Mr Auerbach’s name.
During Mr Lehrmann’s criminal trial in December, the court heard that he had been paid the equivalent of a year’s rent in exchange for the exclusive interview, valued at about $105,000.
Auerbach said he had receipts for additional accommodation for Lehrmann at a Randwick property from March 3 to 24, worth more than $11,000.
Mr Auerbach stated that he had: “Deleted most of the material in my possession about the plaintiff before leaving Seven, at the request of Mr Llewellyn and Seven’s lawyers.”
“The only material that has remained in my possession has been photographs on my phone or documents saved on my iCloud,” he said.