Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner has said he is “filled with the deepest regret and shame” after reports emerged he had an affair with an executive assistant from the same company.
Details of the affair were made public yesterday and, since then, the company’s share price has plunged by $98 million.
Former executive assistant Amber Harrison lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in May this year, after negotiations with the parties failed.
According to The Age, Seven West Media has confirmed Mr Worner apologised for the inappropriate relationship when it ended several years ago, and that the network paid Ms Harrison $100,000.
Ms Harrison was made redundant in November 2014, after an investigation into the alleged misappropriated use of the company’s credit card. “I believe the investigation was suggested by Tim in the hope I would resign,” Ms Harrison said in a statement.
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At the time of the affair, Ms Harrison was the executive assistant to the CEO of Pacific Magazines Nick Chan (the print division of Seven West) and Mr Worner had not yet been appointed chief executive.