Corruption Probe Against Bruce Lehrmann Dropped
National Anti-Corruption Commission ceases investigation into Lehrmann and former media minder over alleged misappropriation of secret submarine documents.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has concluded its investigation into Bruce Lehrmann and his former media minder, John Macgowan, concerning allegations of misappropriating secret government documents. The probe, which led to raids on both men's homes in June 2024, focused on claims that Lehrmann stole sensitive documents related to the now-abandoned French submarine project from his former employer, ex-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, in 2019.
The NACC informed Lehrmann and Macgowan on Monday that the investigation has been dropped and no further action will be taken. A letter from the NACC stated that the former Commissioner had decided to take no further action, releasing them from any further requirements to attend hearings.
Lehrmann, who has consistently denied the allegations, criticized the investigation as a "colossal waste of taxpayer money" and called for the abolition of the NACC. He stated that over two years, the former commissioner had used his powers to advance a conspiracy that Lehrmann was a spy and traitor selling defense secrets.
The NACC's investigation involved a raid squad, including a sniffer dog and police officers from both the New South Wales and Australian Federal Police, who searched Lehrmann's and Macgowan's homes. During the raid on Lehrmann's residence, a blue Moleskine diary was seized, which the NACC had described as containing some of the 'most sensitive material ever held by the Australian government'.
Allegations concerning the French submarine contracts first surfaced during Lehrmann's rape trial in the ACT Supreme Court in 2022. Lehrmann testified that he did not rape his colleague Brittany Higgins in their former boss Reynolds' Parliament House office in March 2019, stating he was making notes on Question Time briefs about French submarine contracts and then went home. The criminal case was ultimately abandoned due to jury misconduct.
The issue resurfaced during Lehrmann's defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson in 2023. Lehrmann told the Federal Court he was working on Question Time briefs, not raping Higgins. However, Justice Lee found on the balance of probabilities that Lehrmann did rape Higgins and dismissed the French submarine argument, stating, "Common sense suggests that it is obvious there was one dominant thought running through the mind of Mr Lehrmann as he was approaching Parliament House, and it was nothing to do with French submarine contracts." This finding was upheld by the Full Federal Court and the High Court. Lehrmann has always maintained his denial of raping Higgins.