Seven's big payout for Taylor Auerbach after the shocking REAL reasons for his sudden exit from the TV network are revealed

Taylor Auerbach received a six-figure payout from Seven after claiming he was the victim of sustained bullying and anti-Semitism in the wake of allegedly blowing over $10,000 on the company credit card for Thai massages.

The ex-Spotlight producer also received a positive reference from Seven's director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson, which praised his 'creative flair' and 'diligence', in addition to a reported $150,000 payout.

It emerged on Thursday that Mr Auerbach filed a claim for psychological injury against Channel Seven, alleging that he was the victim of bullying and anti-Semitism. 

The revelations have plunged Seven into fresh drama, with network bosses reportedly holding crisis talks about the future of current affairs show Spotlight. 

Mr Auerbach is set to give explosive evidence in Mr Lehrmann's bitter defamation battle with Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal Court on Thursday afternoon. 

Over the Easter weekend Mr Auerbach signed a 2,300-page affidavit alleging, among other things, that he spent $10,315 on the Seven's corporate card at Sensai Thai Massage 'for the benefit' of Mr Lehrmann in late 2022.  

Mr Auerbach was not sacked by Seven following the night out but his contract was not renewed. 

Mr Lehrmann has said he did not receive a massage on the night in question but did meet with Seven producers. 

Now, it has emerged that Mr Auerbach received a pay-out of around $150,000 - equivalent to a year's salary, according to news.com.au.

On Thursday morning, Mr Auerbach's solicitor Rebekah Giles told the court he had previously filed a claim for psychological injury against Channel Seven.

She told the court the injury included 'sustained bullying, anti-semitism over a significant period'.

Ms Giles did not elaborate but she said Mr Auerbach may be required to gather material used to make that claim. 

Daily Mail Australia can now reveal that Mr Auerbach also received a glowing reference from Seven's News Director Craig McPherson, which praised his 'creative flair'.

'Throughout his time at Seven, Taylor was a professional, diligent team member,' Mr McPherson wrote in the undated letter. 

'His creative flair was enhanced by his determination to deliver for the programs he worked across.'

It is unclear if Mr McPherson was aware of Mr Auerbach's alleged spending on the corporate card.  

Mr McPherson, who is responsible for programs including 7NEWS, Sunrise and The Morning Show and is married to Big Brother presenter Sonia Kruger, claimed Mr Auerbach was a 'foundation member' of Spotlight after 'producing high quality public affairs content around Australia and overseas' on the now-defunct Sunday Night program.

'Among the projects he was involved in were the documentary ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, about the Oatlands car crash tragedy, with the Abdallah and Sakr families and the children they lost; Anthony Koletti the husband of Melissa Caddick; a series on UFOs; Bruce Lehrman (sic) and Zach Rolfe,' Mr McPherson wrote. 

The Koletti report won Scoop of the Year at the NSW Kennedy Awards in 2022.

However, Seven did not disclose to judges it had paid Kaddick's ex $150,000 for the interview.

The network also failed to disclose it had agreed to pay Mr Lehrmann's rent for a year - believed to be worth $100,000 - when securing its 'bombshell' interview with him.

That failure of admission later led to Spotlight being dumped from the short list for Scoop of the Year at the Walkley Awards in 2023. 

Daily Mail Australia approached Mr McPherson and Seven for comment. 

The favourable reference raises fresh questions for the embattled network, amid reports that Seven's owner Kerry Stokes is considering shutting down Spotlight entirely.

The billionaire is said to be furious with the way the revelations are damaging the reputation of other brands within the network.

Seven executives are reportedly holding crisis talks about the future of Spotlight. 

'There is a lot of discussion about whether we can contain the damage or need to cut the head off the snake and close it down,' one Seven insider told The Daily Telegraph. 

It comes as Mr Auerbach reportedly offered to resign to his bosses at Spotlight after admitting to late-night spending on Thai Massages.

In an email to bosses, which has been seen by The Australian, but is not part of the court record, Mr Auerbach offers to resign as he comes clean.

'Last night and early this morning, in a drunken daze, I put thousand upon thousand of charges on the corporate credit card for something that had nothing to do with work,' the email is reported to say.

'I spiralled out of control and it was probably close to $10k.

'I know how disastrous something like this is at the best of times, let alone when we are under the microscope with finance.'

Mr Auerbach goes onto explain that he will pay the money back when he can.

'I am disgusted with myself and I apologise with every cell in my body,' he wrote. 'I don't know how I could let you down like this. I don't deserve to keep working on the program.' 

In Mr Auerbach's three affidavits, he alleges Channel Seven spent thousands of dollars covering Mr Lehrmann's costs for sex workers, drugs, accommodation, and lavish dinners - all in exchange for exclusive interviews.

The explosive claims were enough for Justice Michael Lee to reopen Mr Lehrmann's defamation case following an urgent hearing on Tuesday.

Some of Mr Auerbach's claims were summarised during that hearing, but they are yet to be been tested in court. 

He will take the witness stand on Thursday afternoon.

According to his affidavits, Mr Auerbach claims he has photos and texts proving Channel Seven covered specific expenses for Mr Lehrmann, including a $517 meal at Franca in Potts Point on January 5, 2023.

Mr Auerbach also said Seven paid for a meal at Spice Temple in Sydney's CBD on January 6, worth $450, and a $555 meal at Chophouse Restaurant on January 31 - which included a $361 tomahawk steak and $48 prawn toast.

He also claimed Seven paid for a meal between Spotlight producer Mark Llewellyn, Mr Auerbach, Mr Lehrmann and his friend, former Liberal Party aide John Macgowan on December 18 in Bridport, Tasmania.

Seven also covered the costs of a round of golf at Barnbougle, Tasmania worth $401.

Mr Auerbach also claims he has receipts for about $10,000 worth of massages for Mr Lehrmann.

Mr Lehrmann said he did meet Spotlight producers but denied he received any massages.  

'It’s an untrue and bizarre story from a disgruntled ex-Network Seven producer,' he said previously.

'Network Seven have only ever covered reasonable travel for filming and accommodation.'

Mr Auerbach later threatened to sue both Mr Lehrmann and Seven for defamation.