Taylor Auerbach received a six-figure payout from Seven after claiming she was the victim of harassment and sustained anti-Semitism after allegedly spending more than $10,000 on the company’s credit card for Thai massages.
The former Spotlight producer also received a positive reference from Seven’s director of news and public affairs, Craig McPherson, who praised his “creative talent” and “diligence”, as well as a $150,000 payout.
On Thursday it emerged that Auerbach filed a psychological damage claim against Channel Seven, alleging she was a victim of harassment and anti-Semitism.
The revelations have plunged Seven into new drama, with network bosses said to be holding crisis talks over the future of current affairs show Spotlight.
Auerbach is set to present explosive evidence in Lehrmann’s bitter defamation battle with Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal Court on Thursday afternoon.
Over Easter weekend, Auerbach signed a 2,300-page affidavit alleging, among other things, that he spent $10,315 on the Seven’s corporate card at Sensai Thai Massage “for the benefit” of Lehrmann in late 2022.
Seven did not fire Mr Auerbach after the night out, but his contract was not renewed.
Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach (pictured) received a glowing reference from Seven’s director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson, who praised his “creative style” and “diligence”, as well as a $150,000 payout.
Auerbach claims 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 (photo). Lehrmann denies receiving massages
Lehrmann has said he did not receive a massage that night but did meet with Seven producers.
It has now emerged that Mr Auerbach was paid around $150,000, equivalent to a year’s salary, according to news.com.au.
On Thursday morning, Auerbach’s lawyer, Rebekah Giles, told the court that she had previously filed a psychological damage claim against Channel Seven.
She told the court the injury included “sustained bullying and anti-Semitism over a significant period”.
Giles did not elaborate, but said Mr. Auerbach may be asked to collect the material used to make that claim.
WhatsNew2Day Australia can now reveal that Auerbach also received a glowing reference from Seven’s news director Craig McPherson, who praised her “creative talent”.
“Throughout his time at Seven, Taylor was a professional and diligent member of the team,” McPherson wrote in the undated letter.
“His creative talent was enhanced by his determination to deliver on the programs he worked on.”
It is unclear whether McPherson was aware of Auerbach’s alleged spending on the corporate card.
McPherson, who is responsible for shows including 7NEWS, Sunrise and The Morning Show and is married to Big Brother host Sonia Kruger, said Auerbach was a “founding member” of Spotlight after “producing high-quality public affairs content in Australia and abroad”. on the now defunct Sunday Night show.
‘Among the projects he participated in were the documentary ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, about the car accident tragedy in Oatlands, featuring the Abdallah and Sakr families and the children they lost; Anthony Koletti, Melissa Caddick’s husband; a series about UFOs; Bruce Lehrman (sic) and Zach Rolfe,” McPherson wrote.
The Koletti report won scoop of the year at the 2022 New South Wales Kennedy Awards.
However, Seven did not reveal to the judges that it had paid Kaddick’s ex $150,000 for the interview.
The network also did not disclose that it had agreed to pay Lehrmann’s rent for a year – believed to be worth $100,000 – when it landed its “bombshell” interview with him.
Craig McPherson (pictured above), Seven’s head of news and public affairs, wrote a glowing reference for Auerbach (embedded below).
Seven’s brilliant reference letter to Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach in full
To whom It May Concern
Taylor Auerbach
Taylor Auerbach was first hired by the Seven Network in late 2018 as a Sunday Night show producer, responsible for sourcing, researching and producing high-quality public affairs content in Australia and overseas.
The signed letter from Seven news director Craig McPherson
When the Sunday night show ended, Taylor was offered continued employment at Seven News. She produced and reported for the 6:00 pm news bulletin and led the network’s acclaimed investigations into the Ruby Princess disaster.
In 2019, Taylor became a founding member of the newly created public affairs program, Spotlight.
Among the projects he participated in were the documentary ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, about the car accident tragedy in Oatlands, featuring the Abdallah and Sakr families and the children they lost; Anthony Koletti, Melissa Caddick’s husband; a series about UFOs; Bruce Lehrman (sic) and Zach Rolfe.
During his time at Seven, Taylor was a professional and diligent member of the team. His creative talent was enhanced by his determination to fulfill the programs on which he worked.
Sincerely,
Craig McPherson
news director
Seven Network (Operations) Limited
That failure to gain admission later led to Spotlight being removed from the scoop of the year shortlist at the Walkley Awards in 2023.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has approached Mr McPherson and Seven for comment.
The favorable reference raises new questions for the beleaguered network, amid reports that Seven owner Kerry Stokes is considering shutting down Spotlight entirely.
The billionaire is said to be furious at the way the revelations are damaging the reputations of other brands within the network.
Seven executives are reportedly holding crisis talks about the future of Spotlight.
“There is a lot of discussion about whether we can contain the damage or whether the snake’s head needs to be cut off and closed,” a Seven source said. The Daily Telegraph.
Auerbach (pictured) will give explosive evidence in Lehrmann’s bitter defamation battle with Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson at the Federal Court on Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Auerbach has provided copies of the receipts to the court
It comes as Auerbach reportedly offered to resign from his bosses at Spotlight after admitting he was spending nights on Thai massages.
In an email to bosses, which has been seen by The Australianbut is not part of the judicial file, Auerbach offers to resign when he comes clean.
“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.’
In Auerbach’s three affidavits, he alleges that 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.
Lehrmann said he met with Spotlight producers but denied receiving any massages.
“It’s a bizarre, false story from a disgruntled former Network Seven producer,” he previously said.
“Network Seven has only covered reasonable travel for filming and accommodation.”
Auerbach later threatened to sue both Lehrmann and Seven for defamation.