Channel Seven boss Jeff Howard sends bizarre email to network staff after ... trends now
The new Seven Network boss has started his tenure in the top job with an email bizarrely boasting of his sobriety and family values, while warning he will not tolerate 'bad apples' as the broadcaster reels from a series of recent damning scandals.
Jeff Howard sent an email to introduce himself to staff after taking the reigns in the wake of the rushed departure of James Warburton, who left the Seven West Media top job on Thursday - two months early.
Mr Warburton's immediate departure, which was only announced on the day, came in the wake of stunning revelations Seven secured an exclusive interview with accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann by paying for drugs and sex workers.
The network is also being sued by university student Benjamin Cohen, who Seven incorrectly reported as being the crazed Westfield Bondi Junction knifeman who fatally stabbed six innocent bystanders last Saturday.
New Seven West Network chief executive Jeff Howard ( right) took over from James Warburton (left) on Friday
Mr Howard was promoted from the role of Seven's chief financial officer to take up the top job.
'As you know, James left yesterday and I've taken on my new role today,' the staff email began.
Mr Howard acknowledged it had 'been a difficult couple of weeks for the great people of Seven' but wanted to offer 'some reflections may help us move forward'.
'First, some disclosures,' Mr Howard wrote.
'I'm a family man first and foremost. I've never smoked. I don't use drugs. Never have, never will.
'Call me boring but I don't even drink coffee.
'Personally I like to stay fit and try to run everyday. Occasionally – like a lot of people – a glass of red or a beer hits the spot.
'Importantly, that's just me. People can do what they want in their own time. I won't judge.
'But when it impacts others — or the workplace — it's a different story.'
Mr Howard warned staff not to take a 'win at all costs' attitude and told staff they needed to 'refamiliarise themselves with 'tried and tested processes' that guarded against 'jeopardising the reputation we've spent years building'.
In his introductory email to all staff, Mr Howard warned that 'bad apples' will 'be moved on'
The warning came after Taylor Auerbach, a former senior
