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ACA reporter charged over alleged child pornography

Updated: ACA reporter Ben McCormack charged and released on bail.

Updated: A Current Affair reporter Ben McCormack has been charged with allegedly sending child pornography material.

Nine this afternoon confirmed police searched his home and seized computers, mobile phone and electronic storage devices.

He has been granted bail and will appear in court next month.

News Corp reports detectives also seized a computer from his workplace at the A Current Affair office in Willoughby.

As many as seven police officers entered the Willoughby headquarters carrying evidence bags.

His lawyer indicated he expected he would be charged.

The Nine Network confirmed a police operation took place earlier today and was co-operating.

McCormack has been a reporter for Nine and A Current Affair for over a decade, including for the show’s reportage on former Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes.

Nine Head of Publicity Victoria Buchan told the Daily Mail, “We have not been given any further information by the police and we won’t be making any further comment at this time.”

Earlier:

New South Wales Police have raided the offices of A Current Affair at Nine’s Willoughby headquarters.

Nine is co-operating with police confirming the matter does not relate to an ACA story.

News Corp reports at least seven New South Wales Police officers entered the office armed with evidence bags this morning.

Staff members were asked to leave as a search warrant was carried out but Nine news boss Darren Wick and members of Nine’s legal team were present as the operation unfolded.

Nine’s head of publicity Victoria Buchan confirmed, “There are police there and they are investigating.

“We are co-operating.”

In 2014 Australian Federal Police raided Seven’s Pyrmont headquarters looking for evidence of payments for interviews related to Schapelle Corby before eventually apologising.

Updated: A NSW Police spokesman said: “Police have conducted inquiries at an office in Willoughby this morning. The investigation relates to a personal matter of an employee, and as inquiries continue, no further information is available.”