This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/15/conrad-black-trump-pardons-ex-media-mogul

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Trump pardons fraudster Conrad Black after glowing biography 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 jailed for fraud, has been pardoned by Donald Trump – shortly after writing a book praising the US president. Donald Trump has pardoned Conrad Black, the former media mogul who owned the Daily Telegraph and the Spectator before being jailed for fraud, shortly after he wrote 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 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. Black, a 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 he was 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”. He suggested the president had been misunderstood. Since leaving jail Black, who is 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 called Black personally 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 inside.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 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. 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 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. 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 but has previously suggested he could return. A House of Lords spokesperson confirmed Black could vote on British laws again if he gave three months’ notice of his intention to return.He is currently on a leave of absence from the British parliament but has previously suggested he could return. A House of Lords spokesperson confirmed Black could vote on British laws again if he gave three months’ notice of his intention to return.
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. 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. Trump was considered as a potential witness at Black’s fraud trail.
In 2005 – at a time when Trump was still an unlikely candidate for the Republican presidential nomination – Black wrote a piece entitled “Trump is the good guy”. Trump responded by praising Black as “one of the truly great intellects and my friend”, promising not to forget the article. In 2005 – at a time when Trump was still an unlikely candidate for the Republican presidential nomination – Black wrote a piece entitled": “Trump is the good guy”. Trump responded by praising Black as “one of the truly great intellects and my friend”, promising not to forget the article.
Black’s lavish spending once saw him hold a $42,000 birthday party for his wife. And he is said to have told potential investors who asked why he needed a corporate jet: “I can have a 747 if I want”. Black’s record of lavish spending includes a $42,000 birthday party for his wife. And he is said to have told potential investors who asked why he needed a corporate jet: “I can have a 747 if I want.”
Black was jailed after being found guilty of conspiring with fellow executives to siphon off funds from the sale of media businesses. Two of Black’s three fraud convictions were later voided, and his sentence was shortened. Black was released from a Florida prison in May 2012 and deported.Black was jailed after being found guilty of conspiring with fellow executives to siphon off funds from the sale of media businesses. Two of Black’s three fraud convictions were later voided, and his sentence was shortened. Black was released from a Florida prison in May 2012 and deported.
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.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 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”. Black said Trump had followed his case closely and offered to give evidence at the 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”.
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 and Marie Antoinette respectively. He no longer controls his media assets, and 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 and Marie 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.”
Conrad BlackConrad Black
Trump administrationTrump administration
US crimeUS crime
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
US politicsUS politics
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content