A private eye has been hired to investigate the woman suing David Jones over alleged sexual harassment.
Frank Monte said he is being paid a "substantial" amount of money to check out the background and follow the movements of Kristy Fraser-Kirk, who is suing the retailer and its former CEO Mark McInnes for $37 million, the Daily Telegraph reports.
"I can confirm we are working on the case," Mr Monte told the Telegraph.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that David Jones is the client."
Mr Monte, who the newspaper describes as one of Sydney's top detectives, said he would be doing "background checks" and "surveillance" on Ms Fraser-Kirk.
Mr McInnes, 45, flew back into Sydney from Los Angeles yesterday with his pregnant girlfriend to fight the multi-million dollar lawsuit.
He reiterated statements that many of the allegations against him were untrue and will soon lodge his defence case in the Federal Court.
"Lisa and I have returned home to Australia to work with my legal team on my defence," Mr McInnes said.
"It will include my detailed denials and rebuttals and is the first step in the legal process," Mr McInnes said.
He also said he offered his resignation immediately following the allegations.
"It was my responsibility not David Jones'," Mr McInnes said.
"I owned up to my mistakes and apologised to everybody immediately."
In a statement of claim lodged in the Federal Court, Ms Fraser-Kirk said Mr McInnes made unwelcome sexual comments and advances towards her on May 23, 2010 at a lunch celebrating the renewal of a contract between racehorse trainer Gai Waterhouse and David Jones.
She also referred to incidents involving four other women which she said occurred in the eight months before her complaints.
Mr McInnes resigned in mid-June.
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