Sacked Channel Seven journalist Robert Ovadia has formally launched legal proceedings against his former employer, claiming he was unfairly dismissed.
The veteran crime reporter’s employment was terminated last month in the wake of allegations that he allegedly sent 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 images. She left the network in December 2020.
Ovadia was dismissed after the ABC’s Four Corners program learnt about an image and started inquiring about it as part of an investigation into allegations of a toxic culture at the network.
It has since been revealed that Ovadia lodged legal action against Channel Seven and the network’s news boss Anthony De Ceglie in the Fair Work Commission a week ago.
He has lodged a general protections application and is seeking compensation for his dismissal, pecuniary penalties and reinstatement to his job, The Australian reported.
Ovadia has appointed high-profile employment and media lawyer John Laxon, who has confirmed that documents were lodged with the FWC.
The network has one week from the date the application was filed to respond.
Former Channel Seven reporter Robert Ovadia (pictured) has lodged legal action, claiming that he was unfairly dismissed
The matter will progress to conciliation between the parties if unresolved.
‘Seven takes very seriously any allegations in relation to sexual harassment, bullying and other behaviours deemed to be inappropriate within the workplace,’ a network spokesperson told the publication.
‘We take complaints seriously, manage them confidentially and deal with any breaches decisively.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for further comment.
Ovadia declined to comment about the legal action.
It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Ovadia reportedly took images from a producer’s personal Instagram page and turned them into a ‘caricature’ before sharing them with her, according to a former colleague.
‘The pictures weren’t doctored in a sexual manner – they were just strange,’ the source told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They showed [the young woman] in a slinky cocktail dress holding a champagne flute in cartoon and him in a cape with a sword and shield like he was some kind of knight (in) shining armour.’
Ovadia, who worked at the network for 23 years and was a popular figure among his colleagues, revealed on June 21 he had been let go by management.
‘Yes I’ve been sacked and there will be more to say about that in the appropriate forum at the appropriate time,’ he said.
He later revealed that he longer wishes to work as a journalist.
‘I’ve been advised not to talk about my case so I won’t, but if you’re asking whether I’ll be returning 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 strange doctored images to a young female reporter before he was dumped by the network
Ovadia was first stood down by the broadcaster on June 7 while the investigation took place.
The network said: ‘Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Robert Ovadia.’
On Saturday, sources told The Australian that Ovadia had also allegedly Googled and then sent an image of a flaccid penis to a male colleague.
The colleague had allegedly requested a ‘dick pic’ while covering a court case featuring a man named Dick – prompting Ovadia to allegedly send the image as a joke.
There is no suggestion the allegations are proven and Ovadia has previously said they are unfounded and that he would defend himself.
Ovadia also allegedly Googled and sent an image of a flaccid penis to a male colleague after they allegedly requested a ‘dick pic’ while covering a court case featuring a man named Dick
Meanwhile, the staff bloodbath at the network is set to continue with reports 150 jobs could be axed in the wake of a recent string of high-profile departures.
Anthony De Ceglie, who recently became Channel Seven’s director of news, told staff he has a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to bad behaviour in the newsroom amid the fallout from the Bruce Lehrmann Spotlight scandal.
Rival network Channel Nine has also been battling a scandal after The Australian revealed former news boss Darren Wick left the station following a complaint by a female employee.
Other staff members have since made allegations of bullying and sexual harassment at the network, prompting Nine to conduct its own investigation.
Mr Ovadia declined to comment.