A former radio staffer who is one of six men accusing Alan Jones of sexual misconduct admitted in court on Tuesday to sending an explicit text message about the broadcaster's genitals. The accuser, who was 18 when he first met Jones, testified that the text was sent to "curry favor" with the "shock jock" and was not intended to titillate him.
Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching without consent. Eight of these charges relate to this former staffer. The accuser alleges Jones kissed and groped him between 2003 and 2020 at his Sydney home, workplace, and at an event.
During cross-examination, the former staffer was questioned about text messages he sent to Jones, some of which expressed affection and included kisses. He had previously claimed he only responded to intimate messages from Jones. However, under questioning, he acknowledged initiating some of these exchanges. In one text, he referenced a nickname they both used for Jones's genitals.
When asked if the text was regular banter, the former staffer replied, "Banter is a loose word. I sent that because I knew he would like it." He denied that the message was inconsistent with his allegations of assault, stating that he felt pressured to engage with Jones because of his powerful position in Australia at the time.
"I certainly felt like it was a way of currying favor with him," the accuser told the court, admitting he was prepared to say untrue things to Jones if it "kept him on side."
Earlier in the week, the accuser testified to reporting the alleged abuse to fellow radio host Ray Hadley, who then put him in touch with journalist Peter FitzSimons. Jones's defense has accused the former staffer of rewriting history.
Jones, a former dominant figure in Sydney radio and a national commentator, has denied all allegations against him. The alleged incidents occurred during the latter part of his 35-year broadcasting career.