Robert Ovadia has dropped his legal action against his former network Seven and news boss Anthony De Ceglie, citing the stress on family.
It comes just days after referring to the “evil” network in social media posts and vowing to clear his name.
Ovadia’s lawyer, John Laxon, told the Daily Mail, “While he strongly rejects the allegations of serious misconduct made against him, the emotional and financial toll of proceeding with legal action is something his family can no longer bear.
“And I entirely understand his position.”
The action resulted from his dismissal by Seven following allegations of harassment in the form of cartoons sent to colleagues, revealed in a Four Corners report.
According to the original statement of claim filed in the Federal Court by Ovadia’s barrister, Andrew Gotting, and read out in court, Ovadia claims the incidents he was purportedly terminated for in June do not amount to sexual harassment.
“No reasonable employer could have formed the view that the conduct amounted to sexual harassment, the photo was not coduct of a sexual nature.”
Ovadia said, “I can be crass, I can be blunt, I can be obnoxious, my humour is dark – 20 years surrounded by trauma and danger will do all of that to you – but I do NOT mistreat women.”
A Seven spokesperson told TV Tonight, “The Seven Network confirms that Robert Ovadia has withdrawn and discontinued the proceedings he commenced against Seven in the Federal Court. This was a unilateral decision by Robert Ovadia and has involved no payment, settlement or concession by Seven to Mr Ovadia.”
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