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Earlier than being charged with sexual assault, former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann stated he might acquire “hundreds of thousands in defamation” over media reviews concerning the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
Mr Lehrmann despatched WhatsApp messages to his then girlfriend forward of a section on The Mission on February 15, 2021, concerning the potential payout after talking with solicitor Warwick Korn.
“If I am named tonight then (Mr Korn) says I am up for hundreds of thousands in defamation,” he wrote.
Within the messages, which have been learn out within the Federal Court docket on Thursday, he expressed confidence there could be no prison costs introduced towards him.
“Felony is off the playing cards fully,” he stated.
After a police investigation, Mr Lehrmann was charged with sexual activity with out consent in August 2021.
Ms Higgins accused Mr Lehrmann of raping her within the Parliament Home workplace of former minister Linda Reynolds, who they each labored for, in 2019.
Following his trial, the jury was discharged in October final 12 months on account of juror misconduct. Prosecutors introduced they might now not pursue the costs in December, citing issues for Ms Higgins’ psychological well being.
In February, Mr Lehrmann launched a defamation motion towards Community Ten and Information Corp for his or her February 2021 protection of rape allegations made by his former colleague.
Former Ten journalist Lisa Wilkinson and Information political editor Samantha Maiden are additionally named within the lawsuits.
The events have been in court docket on Thursday to listen to an extension of time utilized by Mr Lehrmann to convey the defamation lawsuits, which usually are required to be filed inside a 12 months of the allegedly defamatory publications.
Mr Lehrmann claims he couldn’t begin the lawsuits earlier due to the prison proceedings, authorized recommendation he obtained from Mr Korn, and his personal psychological well being.
Wilkinson’s barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC stated there have been inconsistencies between the messages despatched by Mr Lehrmann about Mr Korn’s recommendation and what he instructed his solicitor Paul Svilans, his instructing solicitor within the defamation case.
Giving proof from the witness stand, Mr Lehrmann stated he had been suspended from his job at British American Tobacco after a Information article on the rape allegations in February 2021 and had swiftly contacted Mr Korn for recommendation about any looming prison issues.
He stated the lawyer instructed him to carry off on the defamation swimsuit earlier than the prison circumstances have been resolved, admitting that the subject had been mentioned.
“Actually, I used to be outraged by what I used to be seeing,” he instructed Justice Michael Lee.
Regardless of telling his girlfriend that he was up for “hundreds of thousands” in defamation, he stated he had not obtained this recommendation from Mr Korn however was merely attempting to relax his upset associate.
“I used to be placating (her) as a result of she was distraught,” he stated below cross examination by Ten’s barrister Dr Matthew Collins KC.
“In precise truth, I used to be in a way placing on a courageous face.”
Attorneys for Ten and Information argue that when Mr Lehrmann spoke to Mr Korn, he believed there could be no costs introduced towards him, and it was unreasonable for him to attend so lengthy to convey the defamation lawsuits.
Statements of declare for Mr Lehrmann filed in these actions say his private fame had been broken by the reviews.
Mr Lehrmann has constantly denied the allegations, telling the court docket he needed to check-in at North Shore Hospital on account of the “intense media scrutiny” after which depart his Sydney residence, shifting in along with his mom in Toowoomba.
Of their defenses, Ten, Information and Wilkinson say they may show the reality of the sexual assault allegations.
The Federal Court docket listening to continues.
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– AAP
