Seven network claims thirteen women have come forward with claims against former crime reporter Robert Ovadia, following his dismissal by the network.
Ovadia launched Federal Court proceedings in August against Seven and his former boss, news and current affairs director Anthony De Ceglie, alleging he was unlawfully sacked. His lawsuit alleges adverse action and breach of contract.
Sydney Morning Herald reports at a preliminary hearing that Seven’s barrister Vanja Bulut in the Federal Court today, “13 more females have come forward with complaints in relation to his conduct”, and this was subject to an investigation.
Ovadia “had been put on notice of that”, Bulut said. “To the extent that those allegations are recorded in documents, those documents have been provided [to Ovadia].”
Ovadia has rejected all the allegations, some of which were reported by Four Corners.
News.com.au also reports Ovadia’s barrister, Andrew Gotting, also noted in court documentation provided by Seven regarding 13 further women and their allegations, it had featured redactions and “lacked particularity”.
He said another aspect of the claim was that a statement about the dismissal had been “calculated to demean” Mr Ovadia, and caused “significant harm”.
This would be part of Seven’s defence, Bulut said.
Mr Gotting told the court that Ovadia’s termination was “effected immediately for serious misconduct” and there was an “express statement” that he was not entitled to notice of termination. “There are two principal claims made, the first relating to adverse action and the second relating to the provision of notice of termination,” Gotting said.
The first is a claim under the Fair Work Act and the second is a breach of contract claim.
Mr Ovadia was a 23-year veteran of Seven and a two-time Walkley Award winner. He worked as an investigative reporter and occasional presenter for the Sydney newsroom.
In a statement made after court, Mr Ovadia denied the claims against him.
“The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests,” he said.
“Even today, no evidence to support any of this – just a dirty tactic to try to bully me away from defending myself.”
Federal Court Justice Elizabeth Raper ordered the parties to attend mediation.
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