AFP concludes investigation of Ten over Renae Lawrence interview
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have confirmed they have concluded their investigation of Network Ten over a paid interview that was screen with convicted drug smuggler Renae Lawrence.
Earlier this month, Mumbrella revealed that Ten had admitted it paid for a prison cell “interview” featuring convicted Lawrence on her time sharing a cell with fellow Australian Schapelle Corby.
Today the AFP confirmed that they had spoken with the TV network and that they had not breached Australia’s proceeds of crime laws. “The AFP has an obligation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to consider possible payments to convicted criminals in return for the provision of their story,” said an AFP spokesman.
“The AFP can confirm it spoke with Channel 10 on Wednesday 9 April in relation to an interview with Renae Lawrence about Schapelle Corby that aired on Monday 7 April.
The AFP is satisfied with the information that Channel 10 has provided and has determined that there is no breach of literary proceeds provisions as outlined within the Act, and as such has assessed that no further action is warranted.”
The investigation by the AFP came only weeks after raids were conducted on the Seven Network in February seeking documents around an alleged deal between the network and the Corby family for an interview with Schapelle, shortly after her release from prison.
In the case of Lawrence’s interview it was later revealed that Ten had paid former Ten reporter Rakhal Ebeli, who runs a Melbourne freelance agency NewsModo for the footage of Lawrence stating that the Corby had told her she was guilty.
The interview drew the condemnation of the Corby family who issued a statement slamming the TV networks for airing the interview for “ratings and money”.
The ratings for the interview showed Ten received a boost in Ten’s news hour at 5pm, and in its continued coverage in the Project from 6.30pm.
Nic Christensen
