The former Mighty River Power engineer accused of billing his employer for goods and services from his own companies has told a court her client was a hard worker in a stressful job, who did not fit the corporate model.
Paul Kenneth Rose and his former wife Jane Clare Rose are on trial accused of fraudulently using their own businesses to bill the power company more than $2.3 million.
They have denied charges at the High Court in Auckland of obtaining by deception.
Mr Rose's lawyer Rachel Reed said her client had worked long hours in a stressful role and his wife, and ex-partner before her, formed the companies to source specialised products to help him.
Ms Reed said the plant needed to get the goods quickly to keep it running and there was no time to get quotes or check prices.
The Crown said Mr Rose was in control of the companies and used them to buy products, raise the prices, then sell them to Mighty River.
