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After filing suit over reports he engaged in corrupt dealings with ex-federal frontbencher Stuart Robert, the boss of a consultancy firm has dropped his defamation lawsuit against Nine.

Synergy 360 chief executive David Milo had sued in the NSW Supreme Court seeking damages against more than four people Sydney Morning Herald articles from November 2022 and March 2023 that allegedly ruined his and the company’s reputation.

“Within weeks and as a result of the articles’ publication, (Synergy) lost a number of existing and potential customers, resulting in serious financial losses,” the lawsuit said.

According to the reports, Synergy 360 and Milo had received secret advice from then Liberal MP Stuart Robert to help six of his clients.

Nine strongly defended the case, saying the articles were true, in the public interest and based on the honest opinions of journalists Nick McKenzie and David Crowe.

The publisher said in its defense that it could prove that Synergy and Milo “engaged in corrupt conduct” with Robert when he was on the Liberal front bench.

“(Milo and Synergy) received a financial benefit from the conduct, including in the form of commission payments and success fees from (Synergy) customers who secured federal government contracts,” Nine’s defense said.

But whether Nine’s claims are true will no longer be tested in court after the lawsuit was dropped by Synergy 360 and Milo on April 26.

The articles remain online and no apologies have been made.

Following a parliamentary investigation, Robert was referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission in September over claims that Synergy 360 had funneled money to a company linked to him to win government work.

Robert previously denied any impropriety and labeled the NACC referral a “farce” and an example of political revenge.

He represented the Queensland seat of Fadden before resigning from parliament in May 2023.

A spokesperson for Nine declined to comment on the dropped case.

Robert and Milo have been contacted for comment.

MONKEY