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.
