ASIC to pay $14m legal bill for One.Tel

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has been ordered to pay former directors of the failed telco One.Tel more than $14 million in legal costs, interest and penalties.

ASIC intends to appeal the ruling. If it proceeds with an appeal, it will also apply to stay the payment of costs pending the appeal's outcome.

The ruling pertains to civil proceedings against One.Tel founder Jodee Rich and finance director Mark Silbermann that were dismissed by a NSW Supreme Court in November last year.

Rich and Silbermann had been taken to task over their role as directors in the collapse of One.Tel.

Estimates at that time put the legal bill at $15 million.

The court ordered ASIC pay Rich $9,622,000 towards his legal costs, and $4,178,000 in interest.

Orders were also made regarding payments to be made to Silberman of $190,000 and Mrs Rich for $70,421.18.

The costs were to be paid by 22 March, ASIC said.

It has until 27th February to commence an appeal.