‘Serious harm': Ex-producer's claim against Seven
Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach, who gave bombshell evidence during Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson, has taken the next step in his legal action against the Seven Network.
Mr Auerbach, who was a senior producer for the Spotlight series for two years from August 2021, filed defamation proceedings in the Federal Court in March 2025.
He is suing Seven over comments the network allegedly made about him after he gave evidence in Lehrmann's defamation trial. The concerns notice previously obtained by news.com.au names Seven chief executive James Warburton, former Seven commercial director Bruce McWilliam and producer and blogger Robert McKnight.
Mr Auerbach helped convince Lehrmann to be interviewed for the Spotlight program, which aired in June 2023, after the criminal case for the alleged rape of former colleague and political staffer Brittany Higgins was dropped out of fear for Ms Higgins' health. Taylor Auerbach filed defamation proceedings against the Seven Network. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
Fronting the Federal Court of Victoria via livestream on Friday, Mr Auerbach was represented by barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, who argued there was 'pretty good evidence of serious harm to (Mr Auerbach's) reputation' by Seven.
Ms Chrysanthou said Mr Auerbach was the 'primary employee engaged with Mr Lehrmann' and there was a 'lengthy chronology' that explained the interactions between Mr Auerbach and Seven that were 'mainly proved by documents' from the Lehrmann defamation trial.
Ms Chrysanthou added the 'damage Seven suffered was by its own hands, not (Mr Auerbach)'.
During his affidavit during the Lehmann defamation trial, Mr Auerbach alleged he acted as a 'babysitter' for Lehrmann and claimed the Seven Network covered the costs for illegal drugs, sex workers, a round of golf and meals, including a $361 Tomahawk steak in an effort to build a relationship with Lehrmann. Barrister Sue Chrysanthou said there was 'pretty good evidence' Mr Auerbach's reputation was harmed. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
The former Spotlight producer also told the court the network reimbursed Lehrmann for money used at a brothel and paid for drugs in January 2023; however, he said there were no invoices available.
Mr Auerbach said his job ended in August 2023 at the expiry of his employment agreement, and he had previously 'made claim against Seven for psychological injury in which I settled on confidential terms'.
In a statement at the time of the affidavit, Seven said the network 'acted appropriately at all times' and 'did not condone or authorise the alleged payments' to Lehrmann.
In 2024, Justice Michael Lee dismissed Lehrmann's lawsuit against Network Ten and Wilkinson after he found, on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, that the former Liberal staffer had raped Ms Higgins inside Parliament House in March 2019. Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann denied sexually assaulting former colleague Brittany Higgins. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia
Lehrmann claimed he had been defamed by an interview aired on The Project, where Ms Higgins alleged she was raped by a colleague after a night out in Canberra.
Lehrmann stood trial in 2022 at the ACT Supreme Court, where he pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting Ms Higgins.
The charges were subsequently dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions due to concerns about Ms Higgins' mental health.
Lehrmann has maintained his innocence and repeatedly told the court no sexual contact occurred. An appeal against Justice Lee's decision remains before the court.
Mr Auerbach's case management hearing was adjourned to October 31.
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