Bruce Lehrmann: Difference between revisions
Blairwigley (talk | contribs) →Legal issues: As per referenced article: The body in charge of Australia’s top journalism awards, The Walkley Foundation, has revoked the nomination of the Seven Network for its interview with Bruce Lehrmann in the Scoop of the Year category, following revelations the company covered Lehrmann’s rent for a year in exchange for exclusive access. Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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==Legal issues== |
==Legal issues== |
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Brittany Higgins [[2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations#Background and allegation|reported the rape]] to the [[Australian Federal Police]] in 2019. These allegations were made public in February 2021 without naming Lehrmann. He was charged in August 2021 with one count of rape, his identity was then made public. |
Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins [[2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations#Background and allegation|reported the rape]] to the [[Australian Federal Police]] in 2019. These allegations were made public in February 2021 without naming Lehrmann. He was charged in August 2021 with one count of rape, his identity was then made public. |
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The criminal trial commenced on the |
The criminal trial commenced on the 19 October 2022, but was abandoned on the 26 October due to prejudicial material being found in the jury room. <ref>{{cite news |title=Routine tidying unearths juror research that torpedoes Bruce Lehrmann rape trial |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-27/jury-discharged-in-trial-of-bruce-lehrmann-brittany-higgins/101583486 |work=ABC News |date=26 October 2022 |language=en-AU}}</ref> |
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The ACT prosecutor [[Shane Drumgold]] announced he would not seek a retrial due to concerns about Higgins' mental health. |
The ACT prosecutor [[Shane Drumgold]] announced he would not seek a retrial due to concerns about Higgins' mental health. |
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Revision as of 13:36, 15 April 2024
Bruce Lehrmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1995 (age 29) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Australian National University |
| Occupation(s) | Lobbyist, political staffer. |
| Known for | Rape at Parliament House |
Bruce Emery Lehrmann is a former political staffer who was found in a civil court trial at the Australian Federal Court to have raped a colleague at Parliament House, Canberra.
In describing the subsequent legal proceedings and media reporting, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee said in his judgement: "the underlying controversy has become a cause célèbre. Indeed, given its unexpected detours and the collateral damage it has occasioned, it might be more fitting to describe it as an omnishambles."
Early life
Born in College Station, Texas, in June 1995,[1] Lehrmann grew up in Toowoomba.[2] He moved to Canberra to study at ANU and begin his political career.
Career
Lehrmann commenced work with the office of the Attorney-General of Australia and worked for various ministries until he joined Linda Reynolds's office in 2018. He has worked as a political staffer for the Liberal Party, and as a lobbyist for British American Tobacco.[3]
Legal issues
Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins reported the rape to the Australian Federal Police in 2019. These allegations were made public in February 2021 without naming Lehrmann. He was charged in August 2021 with one count of rape, his identity was then made public. The criminal trial commenced on the 19 October 2022, but was abandoned on the 26 October due to prejudicial material being found in the jury room. [4] The ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold announced he would not seek a retrial due to concerns about Higgins' mental health.
Drumgold's conduct was subject to an inquiry led by Walter Sofronoff. Sofronoff's conduct has been referred to the ACT Integrity Commission for alleged improper disclosures and contact with News Corp journalist Janet Albrechtsen.[5]
Lehrmann made his first public comments in June 2023 during an exclusive interview with Channel Seven. A Walkley Award Nomination was revoked when it was later revealed that the network had paid for one year's rent as well as other expenses for Lehrmann, and did not accurately disclose this.[6]
A defamation case taken by Lehrmann against Network 10 found on the balance of probabilities he had raped Higgins.[7]
Lehrmann confirmed that he is due to speak at a Restoring the Presumption of Innocence conference organised by Bettina Arndt in June. Arndt, described as one of Lehrmann's central supporters, has categorically denied raising money for or asking anyone to pay money to Lehrmann.[8]
References
- ^ Hardaker, David (2022-10-27). "Who is Bruce Lehrmann?". Crikey. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ "Bruce Lehrmann named as man accused of rape in Toowoomba". ABC News. 26 October 2023.
- ^ Knaus, Christopher (24 March 2023). "Bruce Lehrmann told employer 'false allegations' had not hurt his ability to lobby effectively, documents show". The Guardian.
- ^ "Routine tidying unearths juror research that torpedoes Bruce Lehrmann rape trial". ABC News. 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Conduct of head of inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann's prosecution referred to ACT Integrity Commission". ABC News. 5 April 2024.
- ^ Jaspan, Calum (7 December 2023). "Seven's Lehrmann scoop disqualified from Walkley Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited [2024] FCA 369, Federal Court (Australia)
- ^ McClymont, Kate (7 April 2024). "Want to hear from Bruce Lehrmann about the justice system? That will be $100 a ticket, please". The Sydney Morning Herald.