‘No payment, settlement or concession’: Seven Network confirms it didn’t settle after Robert Ovadia drops lawsuit
The Seven Network has confirmed to Mumbrella that it did not financially settle with Robert Ovadia after the sacked crime reporter dropped a wrongful dismissal case against the media company.
“The Seven Network confirms that Robert Ovadia has withdrawn and discontinued the proceedings he commenced against Seven in the Federal Court,” a Seven spokesperson confirmed to Mumbrella.
“This was a unilateral decision by Robert Ovadia and has involved no payment, settlement or concession by Seven to Mr Ovadia.”
Ovadia dropped his wrongful dismissal case against the Seven Network on Friday afternoon, citing the impact the case is having on his family.
“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, his lawyer John Laxon said.
“And I entirely understand his position.”
Ovadia was sacked by the Seven network in June, following allegations of “inappropriate conduct”.
The crime reporter then hired high-profile lawyer John Laxon, who confirmed a wrongful dismissal suit against both the Seven Network and Anthony De Ceglie has been filed.
In the Federal Court statement of claim, Laxon argued: “No reasonable employer could have formed the view that the conduct amounted to sexual harassment, the photo was not conduct of a sexual nature.”
During the first day of the Federal Court case, Seven’s barrister told the court: “13 more females have come forward with complaints in relation to his conduct.”
Ovadia lashed out on social media last Tuesday, calling the network “evil”, blaming them for a death threat to receive, and sharing positive testimonials from former female colleagues on social media.
He also claimed “the day Seven first leaked this story, my teenage daughter asked if people will think her dad is a rapist”.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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I think it’s deeply unfair watching how 7 has played this. Slinging mud is normally beneath a public company.
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So essentially they called the creep’s bluff? No settlement, reputation destroyed, zero employment chance. I bet he wish he just left quietly.
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I’m sure 13 more females coming forward would be tough on the family, however is there any chance that Seven’s lawyers are playing a hand here?
Would they legally be required to hand over the names of these 13 women to Ovadia’s defense team to substantiate the claim made in opening statements?
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the 13 accusers is a classic employment law play. no names offered, all removed to protect the “victims” but in reality not likely to float in court. designed to scare the other party into settling which is what’s happened.
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Quite sad, mess up someone’s career, family and friends. Apparent victims with no names, then decide in a few years to come forwards to make a civil claim, it’s not really good when so called victims decide to come forwards years later. Whilst it’s not appropriate to dismiss any form of harassment, high profile personal are at risk of blame 24/7.
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I have no doubt that this guy is a pig. However, I have also seen the other side of this where a group of people will decide they don’t like a new person in the office and start the process of finding reasons to complain about them until they are exited from the business.
While I think a lot is swept under the rug in our industry, I do believe there is an imbalance when is comes to accountability when it comes to unsubstantiated claims, or those who will tell other people in the office, however are unwilling to put their name to it officially.
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Anthony De Ceglie “must go” or he will cause more havoc to the network, especially sackings.
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