Primary Health Care chief executive Peter Gregg says he will sue Fairfax Media for defamation over reports linking him to alleged corruption in the oil industry.
Mr Gregg was named in a joint investigation by the Huffington Post and Fairfax Media as the subject of an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission relating to an alleged offshore payment that occurred at the time he was working at Leighton Holdings.
"The article published today by Fairfax Media relating to my role as chief financial officer of Leighton Holdings Limited makes allegations which are false and defamatory in a number of material respects," Mr Gregg said in a statement on Friday.
"I have not breached any civil or criminal law, whether in Australia or elsewhere.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I have instructed my legal representatives to immediately commence proceedings for defamation against Fairfax media and its relevant journalists."
Primary Health Care said it knew the corporate watchdog was investigating Mr Gregg over his conduct in the oil industry when it hired him as chief executive in 2015.
"The Board of Primary ... has been assured that Mr Gregg has fulfilled and continues to fulfil all of his obligations in respect of the investigation and also that, in his position with Leighton Holdings, Mr Gregg acted at all times in accordance with the law," Primary said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange.
Primary said it was inappropriate to comment further upon a live investigation.
