Seven's big payout for Taylor Auerbach after the shocking REAL reasons for his ... trends now

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.