The country's longest-running fraud trial has cost the Crown more than a million dollars.
From left: Edward Sullivan, Robert White and Lachie McLeod. Photo: Mytchall Bransgrove
The five-month trial of two former South Canterbury Finance directors and a former chief executive wrapped up at the High Court in Timaru on 19 August, and the judge's ruling is expected next month.
In response to an Official Information Act request, the Serious Fraud Office said since fraud charges were laid in 2011, it has spent $200,000 on external lawyers and nearly $61,000 on their travel and accommodation during the trial.
That was on top of figures released by Crown Law, which showed that by the end of July about $985,000 had been paid to its external counsel.