Rumours swirl Karl Stefanovic was 'interviewed' amid scandal
Rumours are swirling that Karl Stefanovic was questioned over his role in the Adrian Portelli scandal.
Rumours are circulating that Karl Stefanovic was questioned over his involvement in the Adrian Portelli scandal.
Today show presenter Alex Cullen was axed from the network on Friday after he accepted $50,000 from The Block billionaire.
Karl was also 'interviewed by management' over the matter after he joked that he and Cullen might split the cash prize, according to news.com.au.
One insider told the publication Karl has been allowed to 'get away with murder', otherwise known as doing things in which most people would be punished for, during his time at the network.
'He serially ingratiates himself to successive CEOs and executives and is forgiven for the things others simply don't get away with,' they added.
Channel Nine refused to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
Rumours are swirling that Karl Stefanovic (pictured) was questioned over his role in the Adrian Portelli scandal
Karl has had his share of dramas over the years, including the 'Ubergate' scandal in 2018.
At the time, the presenter and his brother Peter were caught having a scandalous conversation in the back of an Uber, just months before getting dropped from the Today show.'
An Uber driver transporting Peter revealed details of a conversation the TV journalist had had while on speakerphone with Karl.
After selling his story to New Idea magazine, the driver revealed Karl had been criticising his former Today co-host Georgie Gardner during the private conversation.
It comes after Today host Karl made the announcement that Cullen had left the network live on-air on Friday morning.
'As most of you are well aware, our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week,' a solemn Stefanovic told viewers.
'There has been widespread reporting on the circumstances surrounding this, what I can say is that last night, Alex and Nine agreed that he would finish with the network.
'Alex has, of course, been part of the Today family for five years now, he's always ready with a smile and a laugh and without hesitation speaking for all of us here, we can say that we are going to miss him terribly, that's for sure.
Today show presenter Alex Cullen was axed from the network after he accepted $50,000 from The Block billionaire Adrian (pictured)
'Alex is a terrific fella, what you see is what you get and he has been a great mate to all of us over these years and we wish Alex, his wife Bonnie and his beautiful kids all the very best for the future.'
A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Nine has agreed with Today presenter and journalist Alex Cullen that he will finish with the network following a review into a recent incident.'
The scandal kicked off when Portelli had grown tired of his long-used nickname 'Mr Lambo' and offered the cash reward to the first person to use his new moniker on air, with Cullen obliging on the Today show last Friday.
The Block entrepreneur then posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of $50,000 to the presenter on Instagram.
Accepting cash, gifts or benefits to undermine journalistic independence, and improperly using a journalistic position for personal gain, are both breaches of the journalism code of ethics as defined by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union.
The ill-advised stunt led to Cullen being suspended by Nine and he did not appear on the show while the network investigated the payment. The sum has been donated to charity by Portelli.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Adrian Portelli for comment.
During his absence from the Today show, Cullen has been replaced by Clint, who is reporting live from Melbourne for Nine's coverage of the Australian Open tennis.
Karl made the announcement that Cullen (pictured) had left the network live on-air on Friday morning
Nine's parting of ways with Cullen went ahead despite Portelli's claim that Cullen intended the money to be paid to charity all along.
Portelli posted details of $25,000 payments made on his behalf to both the Salvation Army and the RSPCA.
'Alex Cullen… on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,' Portelli wrote on Instagram.
'I've kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he'd heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money.
'That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you're an absolute gentleman.
'If Ch9 let you go (though I really hope they don't!), I'd be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. True class, mate!'