Michael Swann is receiving legal aid for his trial in
Christchurch next year, the Legal Services Agency has
confirmed.
He is also receiving some legal aid for his sentence appeal
following his conviction in the High Court last year for
fraud.
He was allowed to retain and sell some of his assets to help
fund the legal bill.
The Otago District Health Board's former IT manager was found
guilty in December of stealing almost $17 million from the
board over a six-year period.
The Crown is still trying to realise all his assets.
Otago Law Society president Brian Kilkelly said the cost of
trials varied markedly.
Lawyers were paid for preparing for the trial and for the
trial itself.
The rates depended on the penalty of the particular crime and
the experience of the lawyer.
Having a trial in another city could add significantly to the
cost of the case, in regards to the accommodation and travel
and particularly for the Crown, which would be required to
fly witnesses up and down at short notice, Mr Kilkelly said.
Swann is charged with accepting a corrupt payment under the
Secret Commissions Act.
The penalty on such a charge, laid indictably, is
imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine of up to $1000.
The Legal Services Agency's website states the legal aid rate
on such a charge ranges from $108 an hour to $140 an hour for
a more experienced lawyer.
Invercargill lawyer Hugo Young is representing Swann at the
trial in Christchurch.
Christchurch lawyer Steven Hombrow is representing Swann at
his sentence appeal, which was set down for October 6, but
has been adjourned with no hearing date set, a spokesman for
the Court of Appeal said.
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