ABC pay leak: Mark Scott's nightmare has only just begun That was the word used by ABC chief Mark Scott early last Wednesday when he rang to tell one of his top managers that The Australian had published leaked pay information for dozens of the broadcaster's top salaried staffers. Instantly, Scott's summation of his day proved correct when he realised that instead of ABC chief operating officer David Pendleton he had in fact dialled Adelaide's Sunday Mail editor, David Penberthy. And things were about to get worse. Although by all accounts the leak was greeted inside the corporation with a mixture of embarrassment, indignation and laughter, it is likely to prove a perennial headache.