Robert Ovadia drops legal case against Seven Network
By Calum Jaspan
Sacked veteran crime reporter Robert Ovadia has dropped his high-profile legal proceedings against his former employer, the Seven Network, who dismissed him in June for “inappropriate behaviour”.
Ovadia’s lawyer John Laxon told this masthead on Friday afternoon he was discontinuing the action for personal reasons.
Former senior Seven journalist Robert Ovadia has dropped his case against the network.
“While he strongly rejects 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,” Laxon said.
Since he was sacked for “inappropriate behaviour” by Seven in June, 13 women have come forward with claims against Ovadia, Seven alleged in the first hearing of his unlawful dismissal case in the Federal Court last week.
In a statement after the hearing, Ovadia said: “The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests. Even today, no evidence to support any of this.”
The court was told Ovadia was sacked after he sent “a number of inappropriate pictures by text and email” to a former producer, and sent a photo of men’s genitals to a colleague.
“Those emails and messages have all been provided” to Ovadia, Seven’s barrister Vanja Bulut said.
Ovadia launched Federal Court proceedings in August against the Seven Network and his former boss, news and current affairs director Anthony De Ceglie, alleging he was unlawfully sacked. He was seeking compensation and an order that Seven reinstate him.
In court documents released last week, Ovadia claimed Seven dismissed him “in bad faith and unreasonably”.
Earlier this week, Ovadia said in an Instagram post that Seven’s “propaganda unit” was trying to destroy his reputation, calling it an “evil company”.
Materials obtained by the ABC’s Four Corners alleged Ovadia was dismissed after sending images to a young female colleague, depicting them dressed up in a catsuit and pole dancing in a cartoon avatar format.
He also allegedly sent cartoons depicting himself as a “scantily clad warrior and the superhero Thor”, according to the ABC.
Ovadia rejected claims of inappropriate conduct.
A Seven spokesperson confirmed Ovadia withdrew and discontinued his legal action and there was no settlement between the parties.
“This was a unilateral decision by Robert Ovadia and has involved no payment, settlement or concession by Seven to Mr Ovadia,” the spokesman said.
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