The former lover of WiseTech CEO Richard White has broken her silence after the billionaire resigned following a series of sex scandal allegations.
Mr. White, 69, finally settled his long-running legal dispute with his former lover, laser clinic entrepreneur Linda Rogan, on Tuesday.
The conclusion of the damaging lawsuit, in which Ms. Rogan alleged that Mr. White offered to invest in her company in exchange for sex, was not enough to save his position as CEO after weeks of lurid headlines.
It was announced on Thursday that Mr White will take “a short period” of personal leave before taking on a new advisory role at the company he founded 30 years ago.
On Saturday afternoon, Ms Rogan, 52, broke her silence with a cryptic nine-word statement on her Instagram Story, which she later deleted.
“I had to go to war for this peace,” Ms. Rogan wrote against a black background.
She added: “So many messages of love and support. Thank you.’
Ms Rogan, who owns a laser clinic in Double Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, says she met Mr White, 69, through his wife Zena Nasser.
Linda Rogan (pictured) posted an Instagram story on Saturday saying: ‘I had to go to war for this peace’ after her former lover Richard White stepped down from his business on Thursday
On Saturday afternoon, Ms Rogan broke her silence with a cryptic nine-word statement on her Instagram Story, which she later deleted (pictured)
Ms Logan had claimed Mr White later offered to invest in her company in exchange for sex.
She launched a battle in the Federal Court over one A $13.1 million mansion she said was bought by Mr White for her to live in with her three children, in Vaucluse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Ms Rogan, who never moved into the house, claimed he took the keys back after his partner Zena Nasser discovered they were having a sexual relationship.
Last year, Ms Rogan successfully sought a local court order that 69-year-old Mr White reimburse her for the $92,123 she allegedly spent on furnishing the Vaucluse home.
Mr White had the order quashed and in August issued a declaration of bankruptcy against Ms Rogan, which she wanted set aside.
Mr White later settled the matter with the beauty entrepreneur.
Ms Rogan, who owns laser clinics in Sydney, Cairns and New Zealand, claimed she met him through his partner Ms Nasser, a former criminal lawyer.
Ms Nasser is said to have sent Ms Rogan an Instagram message in June 2022 saying: ‘We have some mutual friends and you came across my page… I never do this but I thought, ‘I have to give this beautiful lady a send message. X.’
A month later, Ms Nasser visited her Rose Bay clinic Bionik Wellness and introduced her to Mr White via Facetime.
In court documents, Ms Rogan said her relationship with Mr White became sexual and he offered to buy her a property in the Vaucluse.
Richard White later settled the lawsuit with Ms Rogan before resigning as CEO of WiseTech (Photo: Mr White with his wife Zena Nasser)
Ms Rogan, who never moved into the house, claimed he took the keys back after his wife, Ms Nasser, discovered they were having a sexual relationship
Mr White is said to have told Ms Rogan: ‘The structure will ensure that no one traces ownership back to me or you. Zena will never know that I own this house.
“You will live in this house forever,” Mr. White reportedly told Ms. Rogan after his lawyer bought it for $13.1 million.”
Ms. Rogan claimed that as she prepared to move into the house the next month, she received a message from Ms. Nasser, who said, “You didn’t have to lie…
“Richard admitted it…please don’t come near me again.”
Mr. White’s legal battle with Ms. Rogan had a devastating impact on his company, which is worth more than $37 billion.
About $6 billion was wiped from the company’s and Mr. White’s market value on Monday estimated wealth of $9.7 billion fell by about $2 billion as shares plummeted.
Mr White (pictured) will take on a new advisory role at Wisetech Global, which he founded 30 years ago
Recent publicity about Mr White’s personal life prompted WiseTech’s board to review “the full range of matters” while “seeking further information and seeking external advice.”
Mr White will take personal leave for “a short period” before taking on a new advisory role at the company he founded 30 years ago.
“It has been a challenging time for me personally, my family and close friends, and for the business I have built and truly love,” he said in a statement to the ASX.
“I want to assure everyone who has supported WiseTech, as customers, colleagues and shareholders, that I remain absolutely committed to seeing this incredible organization continue to thrive and grow in the years to come.”
WiseTech’s board said they had agreed for the tech company’s founder to step down along with chief financial officer Andrew Cartledge to take on the role of interim director.
Wise Tech chairman Richard Dammery said Mr White had “put the company and its shareholders first” with his decision to resign.
“Richard has consistently demonstrated a rare combination of foresight, intellect, ability and ambition,” Dammery said.
‘All great entrepreneurs achieve what others think impossible, and Richard has certainly done this at WiseTech.’
The board confirmed that Mr White will ‘participate’ in the annual general meeting on November 22 and the investor day on December 3.
WiseTech has 18,000 customers in 170 countries.