Media baron Black to be freed on bail

Former head of media giant Hollinger International Inc, Conrad Black may be freed on bail. File photo . Photo: AP

Imprisoned media boss Conrad Black could be freed on bail, a United States Appellate Court has said this week. Mr. Black, former head of media giant Hollinger International Inc., had been jailed to 78 months after a jury found him guilty of three counts of fraud relating to the sale of the assets of his company and one count of obstruction of justice.

In June, prosecutors in the case suffered a setback when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the law under which Mr. Black was convicted. As a result, reports said, Mr. Black had been able to set up an appeal and request release on bail while the appeal was being heard.

However, Mr. Black may not be able to leave U.S. soil, according to media reports, which quoted Eric Sussman, former lead prosecutor in Mr. Black’s saying, “I’d be very surprised to see the judge let him leave the United States, particularly given the conditions of his prior bail.” Mr. Sussman told the

CBC News channel that he expected that Mr. Black’s passport would remain in the court's possession and he could also be ordered to post a hefty bond.

Mr. Black has however, has not yet been released and remains incarcerated at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Florida.

Experts said that while he may have avoided jail in the short term, he would continue to face numerous charges as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was “seeking $71 million in back taxes” from Mr. Black. He also faces several civil suits from disgruntled shareholders of Hollinger International, reports said.

Mr. Black gave up his Canadian citizenship in 2001 to become a member of Britain's House of Lords and is now also known as Baron Black of Crossharbour.