The bills for Yukon businessman Jon Rudolph continue to pile up before his trial kicks off at the end of this month.
Security costs in his case against Norman Ross will increase by another $20,000, Yukon Supreme Court Justice Ronald Veale ruled last week.
Rudolph bought Ross Mining Ltd. and the Ruby Creek Mine from Ross for $7 million, plus interest, in 2005.
But in 2009, Rudolph fell behind in his scheduled $1.5-million payments.
Last year’s estimates peg Rudolph’s creditor tab at $12 million. The creditors include General Electric and the Canada Revenue Agency.
However, in the court files against Ross, Rudolph maintains his main company, Golden Hill Ventures Limited, could still be profitable.
But the file notes that the company sees no revenue in the winter months.
And “there has been no disclosure of GHV’s finances, contracts or future business and no statement that it can pay court costs,” the files note.
The revised security costs in the case against Ross now stand at $75,000.
Ross’ legal fees are estimated to reach $200,000 by the end of the trial and that he will seek special costs.
Additional costs have already been incurred and issues have been expanded and become more complex in the case, said Veale.
But he was critical of this latest application.
“I am concerned about the delay in applying for this increase, given that the trial has been set for six months,” wrote Veale.
The trial is scheduled to begin in two weeks, on April 20, and the security costs must be paid, “no later than 14 days from March 25, 2011,” according to Veale’s decision.