Report: ACA crew stood down pending investigation

Nine newspapers are reporting an A Current Affair crew has been stood down pending an internal investigation by Nine.

On Monday ACA filmed a story on finance company executive Peter Aquino, who closed his business Construct Homes after taking loans from Oak Capital, a Melbourne private credit firm being sued by ASIC.

The Age reports when Aquino reportedly spotted Oak Capital’s Mo Ahmed, the crew followed Ahmed to the nearby Intercontinental Hotel.

But when Ahmed locked himself in a toilet, ACA cameras and reporter Seb Costello allegedly followed.

Nine-owned AFR also reports legal action has been taken against the Nine Network over the actions of Costello and his film crew.

A Nine spokesman said: “While we are aware of a range of allegations made against Nine by an individual representing a company facing legal proceedings commenced by ASIC, we believe the legal claim has no basis.”

ACMA also has strict rules around invasion of privacy but that footage apparently has not gone to air.

Aquino, told The Age, “I can’t thank ACA enough and thank Seb Costello enough. Losing my business was like losing my child.”

Nine’s Tuesday episode of A Current Affair is no longer available for viewing on 9Now.