Lisa Wilkinson in ‘hysterics’ when she told Ten’s CEO she would have to sell her multi-million dollar home to cover legal fees – as the eye-watering sum of her TV wardrobe is revealed
EXCLUSIVE
Emails reveal Lisa Wilkinson was ‘almost hysterical’ when she told Channel Ten’s chief executive she would have to sell her multimillion-dollar home if the network did not cover her legal costs.
The emails were released by the Federal Court this week amid Wilkinson’s civil case against Network Ten over a $700,000 bill she racked up after hiring her own lawyer for Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case.
Wilkinson argued that she should hire the best defamation lawyer, Sue Chrysanthou SC, rather than the network’s lawyer, Matthew Collins KC, because Ten did not have her best interests at heart and would not properly defend her.
The network alleged that Wilkinson’s defense duplicated its defense, and that the fees associated with Ms. Chrysanthou’s hiring were therefore unnecessary and unreasonable.
Wilkinson argued that the network initially promised to pay its bills – which was evident from an email that Bev McGarvey – the CEO of Ten’s parent company Paramount – sent to lawyer Tasha Smithies, along with PR staff and an executive.
Emails also revealed that Wilkinson had an annual clothing allowance of $100,000, which was subsequently reduced to $40,000 after November 18, 2022, when she stepped down as permanent host of The Project.
Wilkinson argued that the network initially promised to pay its bills – which was evident from an email that Bev McGarvey (above) – the CEO of Ten’s parent company, Paramount – sent to lawyer Tasha Smithies
Emails also revealed that Wilkinson had an annual clothing allowance of $100,000, which was subsequently reduced to $40,000 after November 18, 2022, when she stepped down as permanent host of The Project.
On June 7 last year, Ms McGarvey said she called Wilkinson for a welfare check, noting the TV presenter was ‘very upset’ and describing the conversation as ‘challenging’.
The call came three days after Wilkinson was portrayed in an unfavorable light in a 7News Spotlight special featuring an interview with Mr. Lehrmann.
Mrs McGarvey wrote: ‘I called Lisa and asked how she was coping with having a tough week. I was genuinely concerned for her because I heard she wasn’t in a great place.
‘She was upset almost immediately and started talking about her legal fees and how she would have to sell her house.
“I’d say her tone was almost hysterical.”
According to the email, Wilkinson’s legal bills at the time totaled $20,000.
Ms McGarvey pointed out that Wilkinson “is still paid by us on a full salary and lives in a lavish multi-million dollar home with a pool, tennis court and harbor views.”
Lisa Wilkinson argued that she should hire Sue Chrysanthou SC (pictured together outside court this week) as the best defamation lawyer instead of hiring the network’s lawyer, Matthew Collins KC, because Ten did not have her best interests had in mind and would not defend her properly.
The CEO said Wilkinson continually mentioned her compensation, saying the network would do what it was obligated to do.
“She said if I really cared about her I would make sure we paid her legal fees,” Ms. McGarvey wrote in the email.
Wilkinson made “irrational” claims about the network’s choice of lawyers because they worked for News Corp.
“She seemed to suggest, even though it was confusing, that she thought this meant our lawyers were feeding stories to News Corp,” Ms McGarvey said.
Network Ten hired corporate law firm Thomson Geer to defend it in the defamation case against Lehrmann, who also works for News Corp.
However, Ms McGarvey also pointed out that the lawyers Wilkinson hired to represent her had also worked for Lachlan Murdoch and News Corp.
She accused the network of “hating” her, the email said, and at several points was so angry and upset that she couldn’t talk.
“I told her that wasn’t the case; I told her I was concerned about her,” the email said.
‘She was extremely upset and raised her voice several times about the fact that we haven’t stopped all the bad press about her, and that this has destroyed her reputation.
‘She believes that the Logies was the moment when things became untenable for her and she blames us for that.’
Ms McGarvey said she tried to remain calm but became irritated and had to take deep breaths to calm down.
“She does not feel in any way that she has done anything wrong,” the email said.
Towards the end of the 30-minute conversation, Ms McGarvey learned that Wilkinson was concerned about two things: her reputation and her legal fees.