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Sydney Construction Boss Ordered to Pay $25,000 After Extorting Secretary for Sex
In a shocking case that has captivated public attention across Australia and New Zealand, Richard Aubertin, the director of Axe Construction, has been found guilty of extorting his secretary, Sonata Trakimaite, into a sexual relationship under threat of job loss. The Federal Court’s decision on November 8 mandated Aubertin to pay $25,000 in damages, highlighting the abuse of power and exploitation within workplace dynamics.
The Background of the Case
Aubertin and Ms. Trakimaite first crossed paths in 2016 at a Sydney bar but reconnected professionally in August 2020 when he offered her a casual role at his Double Bay-based construction firm. However, by October 2020, the professional relationship spiraled into a coercive one. Court documents reveal that Ms. Trakimaite felt pressured to comply with Aubertin’s sexual demands out of fear of losing her job.
Ms Trakimaite met Aubertin in a Sydney bar in 2016 before starting to work for him in 2020 at his business where they soon after began a sexual relationship
Courtroom Revelations
During a police-recorded interview, Ms. Trakimaite disclosed to a friend that on October 31, 2020, she felt “forced” into sex to protect her employment. This marked the beginning of a toxic relationship, culminating in further harassment. Evidence presented in court painted a grim picture of escalating manipulation and emotional abuse, particularly after Ms. Trakimaite became pregnant in December.
Ms Trakimaite told a co-worker that she was ‘forced’ to have sex with her boss and that she feared losing her job during a conversation the pair had on October 31, 2020
Key Text Exchanges:
- “You’re going to regret saying no to me tomorrow,” Aubertin allegedly texted when she refused his advances.
- “Never disrespect me, never,” he warned, linking their personal interactions to her job security.
The Legal Verdict
Justice Robert Cameron ruled that Axe Construction bore vicarious liability for its director’s actions. He noted that Ms. Trakimaite’s employment effectively ended as an implicit consequence of the terminated personal relationship, not due to professional performance. The court emphasized that her compliance stemmed from duress rather than consent.
The case also sheds light on the broader issue of workplace exploitation. Aubertin’s defense citing cultural and language misunderstandings was dismissed, and his claims of being misinterpreted due to intoxication were deemed irrelevant.
Ms Trakimaite and Aubertin had unprotected sex on November 19, 2020, and she became pregnant a month later. At first Aubertin was supportive of keeping the child before he eventually demand she get an abortion, told her she was on her own and called her ‘crazy’ on December 30
Public Reaction and Impact
The case has ignited outrage on social media, with many condemning the power imbalance and demanding stricter workplace protections. It serves as a stark reminder for employers about the legal and ethical implications of personal misconduct affecting professional settings.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL