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Conrad Black: Trump pardons convicted fraudster who wrote flattering book Trump pardons fraudster Conrad Black after glowing biography
(32 minutes later)
Conrad Black, the former media mogul who owned the Daily Telegraph and The Spectator before being sent to prison for fraud, has been pardoned by Donald Trump – shortly after writing a book praising the US president. Conrad Black, the former media mogul who owned the Daily Telegraph and the Spectator before being jailed for fraud, has been pardoned by Donald Trump – shortly after writing a book praising the US president.
The Canadian-born British citizen was once known for his extravagant lifestyle as he ran an international newspaper empire that also included the Chicago Sun-Times and the Jerusalem Post. But he ended up serving three and a half years in prison after being convicted in 2007 of siphoning off millions of dollars from the sale of newspapers owned by the company he controlled. The Canadian-born British citizen was once known for his extravagant lifestyle as he ran an international newspaper empire that included the Chicago Sun-Times and the Jerusalem Post. But he ended up serving three and a half years in prison after being convicted in 2007 of siphoning off millions of dollars from the sale of newspapers owned by the company he controlled.
Since leaving jail Black, who is also a British peer, has been on a quest to clear his name. Last year he published a book entitled Donald J Trump: A President Like No Other, writing that Trump “is not, in fact, a racist, sexist, warmonger, hothead, promoter of violence, or a foreign or domestic economic warrior” and suggesting the President had been misunderstood. Since leaving jail Black, who is also a British peer, has been on a quest to clear his name. Last year he published a book entitled Donald J Trump: A President Like No Other, writing that Trump “is not, in fact, a racist, sexist, warmonger, hothead, promoter of violence, or a foreign or domestic economic warrior”. He suggested the president had been misunderstood.
Trump personally called his biographer to deliver the news that he was to receive a full presidential pardon, dubbing him “the great Lord Black”. Trump called Black personally to deliver the news that he was to receive a full presidential pardon, dubbing him “the great Lord Black”.
A White House spokesperson said the decision had been made because of Black’s “tremendous contributions to business, as well as to political and historical thought”, as well as the work he had done supporting fellow prisoners while behind bars. A White House spokesperson said the decision had been made because of Black’s “tremendous contributions to business, as well as to political and historical thought”, as well as the work he had done supporting fellow prisoners while inside.
Trump’s spokesperson also cited lobbying from the likes of former secretary of state Henry Kissinger, the conservative talkshow host Rush Limbaugh, and the singer Sir Elton John as having contributed to the decision. US presidents have the absolute right to pardon individuals convicted of federal offences under the constitution. Trump’s spokesperson said lobbying from people such as the former secretary of state Henry Kissinger, the conservative talkshow host Rush Limbaugh, and the singer Sir Elton John had also contributed to the decision. US presidents have the absolute right to pardon individuals convicted of federal offences under the constitution.
‘He’s done quite well’: why Conrad Black thinks Trump is what the US needs‘He’s done quite well’: why Conrad Black thinks Trump is what the US needs
Black, who bought the Daily Telegraph in 1986, became a member of the House of Lords in 2001 after being put forward for a peerage by Conservative leader William Hague. He renounced his Canadian citizenship to take the honour, becoming Lord Black of Crossharbour and sat on the Tory benches until his fraud conviction. He is currently on a leave of absence from the British parliament – although now he has received a full pardon, he could be tempted to return. Black, who bought the Daily Telegraph in 1986, became a member of the House of Lords in 2001 after being put forward for a peerage by the then Conservative leader, William Hague. He renounced his Canadian citizenship to take the honour, becoming Lord Black of Crossharbour and sat on the Tory benches until his fraud conviction. He is currently on a leave of absence from the British parliament – although now he has received a full pardon, he could be tempted to return.
Black has previous business dealing with Trump. Two decades ago he agreed to work with the future president to build a Chicago skyscraper on the site of an old newspaper office, while Trump was considered as a potential witness at Black’s fraud trail. Black has had previous dealings with Trump. Two decades ago he agreed to work with the future president to build a skyscraper on the site of an old Chicago newspaper office; and Trump was considered as a potential witness at Black’s fraud trail.
Two of his three fraud convictions were later voided, and his sentence was shortened. He was released from a Florida prison in May 2012 and deported from the United States. Two of his three fraud convictions were later voided, and his sentence was shortened. Black was released from a Florida prison in May 2012 and deported.
Black said he thought it was a prank by British tabloid journalists when he received the call from the White House informing him that he was about to be pardoned. He said he thought it was a prank by British tabloid journalists when he received the call from the White House informing him that he was about to be pardoned.
When my assistant said there was a call from the White House, I picked up, said “Hello” and started to ask if this was a prank (suspecting my friends in the British tabloid media), but the caller spoke politely over me: “Please hold for the president.” https://t.co/8jdA7j5dMOWhen my assistant said there was a call from the White House, I picked up, said “Hello” and started to ask if this was a prank (suspecting my friends in the British tabloid media), but the caller spoke politely over me: “Please hold for the president.” https://t.co/8jdA7j5dMO
Writing after the pardon in the Canadian National Post newspaper, which Black founded, he said Trump “could not have been more gracious and quickly got to the point:he was granting me a full pardon that would ‘expunge the bad rap you got’”. Writing after the pardon in the Canadian National Post newspaper, which Black founded, he said Trump “could not have been more gracious and quickly got to the point: he was granting me a full pardon that would ‘expunge the bad rap you got’”.
Black said that Trump had followed his case closely and offered to come to give evidence at a 2007 trial in Chicago. The president told Black that there would be some controversy over the pardon, “but you can handle that better than anyone”. Black said Trump had followed his case closely and offered to give evidence at a 2007 trial in Chicago. The president told Black that there would be some controversy over the pardon, “but you can handle that better than anyone”.
The media mogul was known for his extravagance while running the Telegraph, jetting around the world between his multiple homes, throwing expensive dinner parties, and once turning up at fancy-dress event at Kensington Palace with his wife Barbara Amiel dressed as Cardinal Richelieu andMarie Antoinette costume respectively. He no longer controls his media assets, while the Daily Telegraph and Spectator were later sold to the Barclay Brothers. While running the Telegraph, Black jetted around the world between his multiple homes, threw expensive dinner parties, and once attended a fancy-dress event at Kensington Palace with his wife, Barbara Amiel, dressed as Cardinal Richelieu andMarie Antoinette respectively. He no longer controls his media assets, and the Daily Telegraph and Spectator were later sold to the Barclay brothers.
The White House said Black’s case had attracted “broad support from many high-profile individuals who have vigorously vouched for his exceptional character”.The White House said Black’s case had attracted “broad support from many high-profile individuals who have vigorously vouched for his exceptional character”.
“Formerly the owner of the world’s then-third largest newspaper, he is also the author of several notable biographies and works of history,” the White House said in a statement announcing the decision. “These include comprehensive biographies of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon, a complete history of Canada, and an impressive essay evaluating how the world would have been different had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbour.” “Formerly the owner of the world’s then-third largest newspaper, he is also the author of several notable biographies and works of history,” the White House said in a statement announcing the decision. “These include comprehensive biographies of Presidents Franklin D Roosevelt and Richard M Nixon, a complete history of Canada, and an impressive essay evaluating how the world would have been different had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbour.”
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