The Winnipeg Free Press reported Thursday evening that the inquiry looking into the future of Manitoba Judge Lori Douglas has already cost taxpayers more than $400,000.
And observers expect the case could drag on for two or three more years before it reaches a conclusion.
In a report from Ottawa, the Free Press said the federal government's financial records for 2011-2012 show $211,459 was paid to the law firm of Guy Pratte, who resigned as independent counsel for the inquiry.
Another $191,691 was paid to the law firm of Sheila Block, the lawyer representing Douglas.
Karen Busby, a University of Manitoba law professor, said that at that rate, the inquiry could eventually have a price tag in the millions of dollars.
The Canadian Judicial Council is examining whether Douglas should be removed from the bench as a consequence of explicit photos of her that her husband posted on the Internet, coupled with an allegation that she sexually harassed complainant Alex Chapman.
Douglas has denied any wrongdoing, saying the photos were posted by her husband without her knowledge, and that he solicited Chapman to have sex with her without her knowledge.
Douglas said she disclosed the situation to the committee that vetted her application to become a judge.
It has been more than two years since Chapman made his complaint to the judicial council in July 2010.
Douglas is the associate chief justice of Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba.
