A French home bought by former political staffer Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz may be sold to pay for ongoing legal costs amid a defamation battle against defence minister Linda Reynolds.
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The defamation trial in Western Australia, over a series of social media posts made by the couple, is scheduled to start on August 2 as news of their financial woes come to light.
Statement from Brittany Higgins
A spokesperson for Ms Higgins said "Brittany relocated overseas to heal and escape the online attacks she received, particularly in the wake of the Channel 7 Spotlight program".
"This will be Brittany's third court case and one of numerous legal processes surrounding her rape at Parliament House," the spokesperson told ACM.
"The legal costs have already amounted to well over a million dollars and will continue to grow with the defamation action brought about by Senator Reynolds.
"The price of speaking out about sexual assault remains unspeakably high.
"Brittany is now forced to sell her home in order to defend herself again."
Screenshots of the statement from Ms Higgins' spokesperson were posted to Mr Sharaz' social media account on July 22.
Higgins' Lunas home
Ms Higgins bought the home in Lunas, in the French countryside west of Montpellier, after receiving $2.4 million in compensation following a mistrial in the criminal case against her alleged rapist Bruce Lehrmann.
After legal fees and taxes Ms Higgins reported she received $1.9 million.
Mr Lehrmann has maintained his innocence and has not been convicted of the crime.
Federal Court Justice Michael Lee found in April 2024, during a defamation case brought by Mr Lehrmann against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson, that on balance of probabilities Mr Lehrmann did rape Ms Higgins.
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz announced on July 15, a month and a half after their Gold Coast wedding, that they are expecting their first child.