Sacked Channel Seven journalist Robert Ovadia has filed a formal lawsuit against his former employer, claiming he was unfairly dismissed.
The veteran crime reporter was fired last month after he was accused of sending a series of “strange” doctored images to a young female reporter four years ago.
It is understood the junior staffer, who no longer works at Channel Seven, never officially complained about the footage. She left the network in December 2020.
Ovadia was fired after ABC’s Four Corners program became aware of an image and asked about it as part of an investigation into allegations of a toxic culture at the network.
It has since emerged that Ovadia filed a lawsuit against Channel Seven and the network’s news director, Anthony De Ceglie, with the Fair Work Commission a week ago.
He has filed a claim for general protection, demanding compensation for his dismissal, fines and reinstatement in his job. The Australian reported.
Ovadia has appointed renowned employment and media attorney John Laxon, who confirmed that documents have been filed with the FWC.
The network has one week to respond from the date the request was submitted.
Former Channel Seven reporter Robert Ovadia (pictured) has filed a lawsuit claiming he was unfairly dismissed
If the issue is not resolved, a mediation procedure will be initiated between the parties.
“Seven takes all allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and other behavior that is considered inappropriate in the workplace very seriously,” a spokesperson for the network told the publication.
‘We take complaints seriously, treat them confidentially and take decisive action against any violations.’
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Channel Seven for further comment.
Ovadia declined to comment on the legal action.
The reason for this is that Ny Breaking Australia revealed that Ovadia had allegedly taken photos from a producer’s personal Instagram page and made a “caricature” of them and then shared them with her, according to a former colleague.
“The photos were not edited in a sexual way, they were just strange,” the source told Ny Breaking Australia.
They showed [the young woman] in a tight cocktail dress with a champagne glass in his hand (like in a cartoon) and he wore a cape with a sword and shield, as if he were some kind of knight in shining armor.’
Ovadia, who worked at the network for 23 years and was popular among his colleagues, announced on June 21 that he had been fired by management.
“Yes, I have been dismissed and more will be said about that in due course in the appropriate forum,” he said.
He later indicated that he no longer wants to work as a journalist.
“I’ve been advised not to talk about my case, so I won’t. But if you’re asking, will I go back to journalism? No, I don’t think so,” Ovadia recently told The Australian.
Sacked Channel Seven journalist Robert Ovadia (above) allegedly sent a series of strangely edited images to a young female reporter before being dumped by the network
Ovadia was first fired by the broadcaster on June 7 while the investigation was ongoing.
The network reported: ‘Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by Robert Ovadia.’
On Saturday, sources told The Australian that Ovadia also allegedly Googled an image of a flaccid penis and sent it to a male colleague.
The colleague allegedly requested a ‘dick pic’ while reporting on a court case involving a man named Dick. Ovadia then allegedly sent the photo as a joke.
There is no evidence to suggest the allegations have been proven and Ovadia has previously said they are unfounded and that he would defend himself.
Ovadia also allegedly Googled an image of a flaccid penis and sent it to a male colleague after allegedly asking for a “dick pic” during coverage of a court case involving a man named Dick.
Meanwhile, the network’s staff bloodbath is likely to continue, with rumours circulating that 150 jobs will be cut following a recent series of high-profile departures.
Anthony De Ceglie, who recently became director of news at Channel Seven, told staff he has a “zero tolerance” policy towards misconduct in the newsroom as the Bruce Lehrmann Spotlight scandal breaks.
Last Thursday, the network announced a change to the channel’s leadership team, installing a new news director in Sydney and appointing new executive producers for Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise.
Rival network Channel Nine is also facing a scandal after The Australian revealed that former news boss Darren Wick had left the station following a complaint from a female employee.
Other staff members have since come forward with allegations of bullying and sexual harassment at the network, prompting Nine to launch its own investigation.
Mr Ovadia declined to comment.
