TV channel paid for drugs and prostitutes on 'binge' for councilor accused of rape, court hears

Bruce Lehrmann was interviewed by host Seven Spotlight. Photo: 7NEWS Spotlight

A TV station paid for an exclusive interview with a man accused of rape by reimbursing him for money spent on cocaine and sex workers, a court has heard.

Bruce Lehrmann, a Liberal political adviser, is charged in the rape of Brittany Higgins in the Australian Parliament House in 2019. — allegations he denies.

The allegations were first made by Lisa Wilkinson on Australia's Network 10 and Mr Lehrmann is now suing the veteran presenter and broadcaster for libel.

Defamation The case was sensationally reopened at the last minute earlier this week to allow a former producer to give evidence in Network 10's defence.

Taylor Auerbach, a former Network 10 producer now with the Seven Network, told the court on Thursday that Lehrmann bought a bag of cocaine while they were having dinner together before a deal was struck for an exclusive interview.

He said that that Mr Lehrmann told him he wanted to invite sex workers to the Meriton Suites hotel, which was being paid for by Seven, and began Googling escort sites.

Mr Auerbach said the former employee later said that his «bank account was empty after, for lack of a better word, a drinking binge, and asked if there was a way to compensate him for this.»

Taylor Auerbach told the court that Lehrmann bought a bag of cocaine while they were having dinner together before the interview deal was struck. Photo: BGAU /BACKGRID UK

A former producer of Seven's flagship Spotlight program said Mr Lehrmann hatched a plan to bill the network for a daily allowance to cover costs.

“I remember seeing the bill” Mr. Auerbach said, adding that the plan had been verbally approved by a senior employee.

He said he remembered the money being recovered «for illegal drugs and prostitutes that evening at the Meriton Hotel». and the following evening at a brothel in Surry Hills.»

Mr Auerbach said he tendered his resignation to Seven after paying more than £5,200 to Thai masseuses for himself and Mr Lerman his corporate credit card.

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Seven did not accept the resignation and instead offered him a promotion and salary increase, he said.

On Friday it was reported that Mr. Lehrmann had refused from a salary of 1000 pounds per week. The Sydney home he lived in for a year rent-free in exchange for an interview.

Seven previously said it would stop paying rent at the end of its £52,000 one-year deal.< /p>

Lerman's criminal trial on sexual assault charges was interrupted in 2022 due to juror misconduct. The second trial did not take place due to concerns about Ms Higgins' mental health.