Overview
- Higgins filed a notice to discontinue her WA Supreme Court appeal on October 21, leaving the August defamation ruling in place.
- Justice Paul Tottle awarded $315,000 in damages plus interest and ordered Higgins to pay 80% of Reynolds’ legal costs, with Reynolds’ lawyer saying the bill will exceed $1 million.
- Reynolds has commenced Federal Court bankruptcy proceedings against Higgins, and David Sharaz has been served with a bankruptcy notice as well.
- The case concerned 2022–23 social media posts alleging Reynolds mishandled or covered up Higgins’ rape allegation, but the court found no evidence of a cover-up and said Reynolds’ office acted supportively.
- Court records show Higgins offered $200,000 to settle days before trial, which the judge deemed unreasonable, and she later issued a statement acknowledging Reynolds’ hurt and welcoming an end to the matter.