Drama ensued during mid-October 2022 when journalist Taylor Auerbach was dispatched to Canberra to attend Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial in hopes of securing an exclusive interview with him. Auerbach texted his boss, Steve Jackson, with the news that he had spent time with Lehrmann and that other media outlets were also pursuing him. Lehrmann, who was receiving pro bono legal representation, was facing financial challenges. Jackson emphasized the importance of making the interview with Lehrmann a significant event, involving extensive coverage and recreating unseen visuals and audio to make it the most impressive thing on Australian TV.
During the trial, Lehrmann’s media minder, John Macgowan, was pitching a $200,000 deal for Lehrmann, with Macgowan later revealing that he had actually started negotiations at $280,000. Following the collapse of his rape trial due to juror misconduct, Lehrmann, Macgowan, Auerbach, and Llewellyn met to discuss the deal at an upmarket restaurant in Sydney. Lehrmann faced criticism for his desired activities, such as playing golf and attending cricket matches, which could portray him as a privileged white male. Despite this, Lehrmann persisted in seeking favors and expenses paid for by Seven, including arranging for sex workers and cocaine.
Auerbach revealed in court that Lehrmann had incurred expenses on cocaine and prostitutes, with Seven covering some of those costs as “pre-production expenses.” Seven reportedly spent a considerable amount on various expenses for Lehrmann, including wining, dining, accommodation, flights, and more. An agreement between Seven and Lehrmann included the payment of his rent for a year, amounting to over $100,000. Lehrmann was seen moving out of his rented accommodation in Balgowlah to a new location in North Sydney as the agreement came to an end.
The unfolding events and the level of accommodation provided to Lehrmann by Spotlight, particularly by Seven, drew surprise and raised questions among senior media figures. The extensive efforts and resources expended by Seven on fulfilling Lehrmann’s demands, especially considering they were the only bidders for his “tell-all” interview, sparked concerns and scrutiny. The actions and expenditures associated with Lehrmann’s involvement in the defamation trial against Channel Ten and Lisa Wilkinson further heightened interest in the case and the individuals involved.
The court proceedings, supported by text messages between Auerbach, Jackson, and others, shed light on the intricate negotiations, expenses, and activities surrounding Lehrmann’s involvement in the media spotlight. The dynamics between Lehrmann, his associates, and the media outlets involved in pursuing his story added layers of complexity to the defamation trial and raised questions about ethical considerations and journalistic practices. As the case neared its conclusion, with Justice Lee indicating a forthcoming judgment, the implications of the events and revelations surrounding Lehrmann’s journey and the media’s involvement continued to spark discussions and reflections within the industry and beyond.
