Landlord Gaenor Meakes became increasingly alarmed according to confidantes when she watched her $2 million plus property splashed across the news as a result of its high-profile inhabitant Bruce Lehrmann.
Now, it’s emerged that Lady Meakes is pursuing her ex-tenant in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), with the matter listed for a conciliation hearing on May 23 in Sydney.
But the reason for the legal action has not been revealed. News.com.au has contacted Mr Lehrmann and Lady Meakes for comment.
News.com.au understands that Lady Meakes was so distressed at the $2000 rental becoming tabloid fodder that she complained to Channel 7.
But when she contacted billionaire Kerry Stokes’ corporate fixer and media executive Bruce McWilliam to complain, he had to tell her that Mr Lehrmann was her tenant and her problem.
Channel 7’s Finance Department was paying the rent, with court documents suggesting the Spotlight program paid as much as $100,000 for the accused rapist to live there.
But Mr Lehrmann’s name is believed to be on the $2000 a week rental agreement, regardless of the fact that it was Mr Stokes’ Seven Network that was paying the cash.
The Australian newspaper reported on Tuesday that Mr Lehrmann moved out of the Balgowlah property on Sydney’s northern beaches three weeks early.
But it’s not clear what the complaint relates to although there is some suggestion that he may have terminated the lease early as a result of a procession of paparazzi photographers that turned up to document the comings and goings at the property, including a mysterious blonde spotted vaping on the balcony.
Then, there was the dinner party where it was reported that another man, not Mr Lehrmann, was snorting white powder in a video uploaded to Instagram.
Another astonishing photo then emerged inside the house where Mr Lehrmann appears to snort a white substance off his dinner table.
However, Mr Lehrmann revealed the image was taken as a joke and actually clearly shows him pretending to snort plain flour.
Mr Lehrmann then supplied another photo himself to prove it was a joke.
“Very clearly this is a joke at the last few days of amateur reporting,” he said.
“This has been an inappropriate invasion of my private life and a violation of my privacy.
“Any direct or indirect insinuation that something nefarious was happening is grossly defamatory.”
The former Liberal staffer moved out of his Balgowlah home on April 5.
Mr Lehrmann was spotted on the move with his friend Rob Porter on that day as former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach continued his evidence in the Federal Court.
It’s the first time he had been seen since last surfacing in Sydney after dark on Easter Monday ahead of Ten’s sensational bid to reopen the trial.
Dressed in a polo shirt and sandals, Mr Lehrmann was again joined by two mates including sailor Rob Porter.
Channel 7 has previously confirmed it would stop paying Mr Lehrmann’s rent on Friday after the former Liberal staffer enjoyed one final rent-free weekend with a barefoot blonde spotted vaping on his balcony on Easter Sunday.
Channel 7 sources have confirmed to news.com.au that “Bruce’s accommodation arrangements beyond April 5 have nothing to do with us.”
Mr Lehrmann then drove to his new digs in Sydney where he was photographed carrying a box that says “a little box of joy.”
A grimacing Mr Lehrmann was wearing a baseball cap and chinos as he lugged his worldly possessions into his new digs.
His possessions included a treasured set of golf clubs. Mr Lehrmann, as evidence in the Federal Court was adduced, is a keen golfer.
His friend, Rob Porter, was clutching a recyclable shopping bag and the obligatory moving day paraphernalia of a checked zip up plastic bag.
Mr Lehrmann now has until May 31 to file any notice of appeal against Justice Michael Lee’s decision to find that he raped Brittany Higgins, based on the probabilities, in the civil suit he brought against Lisa Wilkinson and Channel Ten.