Top Lego Masters producer is accused of ‘making a music video of himself thrusting naked against a box of wine and showing it to a female Channel Nine colleague’
Top producer of Lego Masters is accused of ‘making a video clip of him naked pushing a box of wine and showing it to a female Channel Nine colleague’
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A senior producer of the hit TV show Lego Masters has been accused of making a video clip of him naked pushing a box of wine and showing it to a female colleague.
David Holder, 35, and production company Endemol Shine are being sued by Rebecca Smith for $150,000 based on allegations that she was denied a safe work environment and treated unfairly because she is a woman.
Ms Smith, who worked as a Lego sorter on the Nine program for three seasons, claimed she was offended and angry after he allegedly showed her the disturbing video.
When she turned the phone away, she claimed he said words to the effect of, “Oh yeah, sorry.” I’m naked in it’.
She also claimed that he repeatedly bragged to her about sexual relations with other Lego sorters, commented on her underwear, called her his “main babe,” and touched her at his hotel.
According to documents filed with the Federal Court, reviewed by Daily Mail Australia, the production company — which also produces Masterchef, Survivor and The Bachelor — has until Thursday to file a defence.
Dave Holder (pictured) is accused of sexually harassing Rebecca Smith while she worked as a Lego sorter
Dave Holder (pictured) is a professional Lego builder from the Nine program, Lego Masters
Ms Smith also accused Holder of using his senior position to make female Lego sorters feel they owed him for their work, The Australian reported.
In one case, in January 2020, Ms Smith says Holder told her about a time he had a sexual encounter with a Lego sorter when she “used to be skinny”.
Another example in March of that same year was when he texted Mrs. Smith to say she was the “main babe,” when the other Lego sorters were just “babes.”
In August 2021, Lego Masters moved production for the fourth season from Melbourne to Sydney due to Covid border restrictions.
The alleged victim moved to Sydney from Melbourne to continue working on the show while living in a hostel that did not have a washing machine.
She claimed that Holder invited her to his hotel room, paid for by Endemol Shine, so she could wash her clothes.
While she was using the machine, Holder reportedly came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
In September, she claimed he had asked her to move in with him. She refused.
Ms Smith claimed that Holder (pictured) was not appropriately punished when she told her superiors about the alleged harassment
He asked her if she used dating apps, if she had been married before and if she dated younger men – since she was older than him, she claimed.
When she reported the situation to her superiors, Ms Smith claimed she was told he was a ‘nice chap’ who ‘feels really bad’, and no formal action was taken.
She made six complaints about him during her employment with the Channel Nine programme.
He would have been advised to work professionally and not to talk to others about the complaints against him.
Mrs. Smith was not offered temporary work on the set of Lego Masters for the fifth season.
Lawyers for Endemol Shine and Holder declined to comment when Daily Mail Australia contacted them.
The case will return to court on September 25.