The lawyer who impressed the libertine protagonist of the ABC TV present Rake is in actual life authorized strife after he was discovered responsible of sexual harassment and underpaying employees.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Friday discovered former felony barrister Charles Waterstreet responsible {of professional} misconduct at his Sydney regulation agency.
Among the many allegations in opposition to the 73-year-old have been that he confirmed nude pictures of himself, made sexually-explicit remarks and publicly watched pornography whereas at work.
The findings stemmed from three separate complaints made in opposition to Mr Waterstreet by three unrelated, a lot youthful ladies between 2014 and 2019.
He was discovered to have sexually harassed one of many ladies, who labored for him as an administrative assistant whereas she was 24, on a number of events. This included watching pornography in her presence and making sexually specific feedback concerning the feminine accomplice of a consumer.
He was additionally discovered responsible of unsatisfactory skilled conduct as he nonetheless owed her $1580 in unpaid wages.
The second lady, who was 27 on the time, alleged Mr Waterstreet sexually harassed her throughout a job interview, together with by exhibiting her a intercourse toy and asking her if she knew what it was.
“An inexpensive particular person, having regard to all of the circumstances, would have anticipated that (the complainant) could be offended, humiliated or intimidated by Mr Waterstreet’s conduct in exhibiting her the intercourse toy and discussing it along with her,” the judgment stated.
Mr Waterstreet sexually harassed a 3rd lady, a authorized assistant at one other agency, by making remarks of a sexual nature whereas in a raise.
“Mr Waterstreet’s conduct within the raise displayed a complete lack of consideration for the sentiments of a younger lady, in knowledgeable setting, and was a considerable failure to take care of an inexpensive commonplace of diligence in his behaviour as a barrister,” the judgment stated.
“It was a severe failure, with predictable, lasting impression on (the complainant).”
A psychiatric evaluation of Mr Waterstreet discovered his undiagnosed and poorly managed bipolar dysfunction “was the dominant causal consider his offending conduct”, contributing to his lack of inhibition and overfamiliarity.
Whereas claims {of professional} misconduct have been made out, the judges stated it didn’t preclude Mr Waterstreet from being thought-about a match and correct particular person to have interaction in authorized apply, as per the laws governing authorized professionals.
Mr Waterstreet has maintained a excessive public profile by way of his involvement within the arts for the reason that Eighties and has printed a number of memoirs.
He parlayed the notoriety gained from the Richard Roxburgh TV car he helped create right into a recurring column for Sydney newspaper the Solar-Herald.
Mr Waterstreet will entrance a listening to to find out his punishment at a later date.
