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Lord Black fraud trial to begin Lord Black fraud trial to begin
(40 minutes later)
Media tycoon Lord Conrad Black has arrived at a US federal court in Chicago ahead of his trial.Media tycoon Lord Conrad Black has arrived at a US federal court in Chicago ahead of his trial.
Lord Black faces fraud and racketeering charges, including claims he diverted $84m (£44m) from the company he once ran to fund an extravagant lifestyle.Lord Black faces fraud and racketeering charges, including claims he diverted $84m (£44m) from the company he once ran to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
If convicted, the former boss of media group Hollinger International and one-time owner of the Daily Telegraph could be jailed for up to 101 years.If convicted, the former boss of media group Hollinger International and one-time owner of the Daily Telegraph could be jailed for up to 101 years.
Lord Black, 62, and three co-defendants have denied the charges against them.Lord Black, 62, and three co-defendants have denied the charges against them.
He arrived amid a frenzy of media interest - but eluded most of the journalists and photographers by using a security entrance.He arrived amid a frenzy of media interest - but eluded most of the journalists and photographers by using a security entrance.
Court officials are now preparing to begin the process of jury selection.Court officials are now preparing to begin the process of jury selection.
Along with Lord Black, federal prosecutors have issued charges against Jack Boultbee, 63, the former chief financial officer of Hollinger Inc, the firm which controlled and managed Hollinger International; Peter Atkinson, 59, general counsel for Hollinger Inc; and Mark Kipnis, 60, corporate counsel for Hollinger International.Along with Lord Black, federal prosecutors have issued charges against Jack Boultbee, 63, the former chief financial officer of Hollinger Inc, the firm which controlled and managed Hollinger International; Peter Atkinson, 59, general counsel for Hollinger Inc; and Mark Kipnis, 60, corporate counsel for Hollinger International.
David Radler, a former business associate of Lord Black, has cut a deal with prosecutors and will be the main witness against the tycoon, in return for a reduced 29-month jail term.David Radler, a former business associate of Lord Black, has cut a deal with prosecutors and will be the main witness against the tycoon, in return for a reduced 29-month jail term.
The laywer leading the prosecution is Patrick Fitzgerald, the US Attorney who recently successfully prosecuted Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice-President Dick Cheney, for perjury.
'I am not afraid''I am not afraid'
Lord Black, an outspoken businessman who is married to Canadian journalist Barbara Amiel, once presided over the world's third-biggest newspaper publishing company.Lord Black, an outspoken businessman who is married to Canadian journalist Barbara Amiel, once presided over the world's third-biggest newspaper publishing company.
THE CHARGES Criminal charges 15 charges of fraudone of obstruction of justiceone of racketeering Federal prosecutors allege Lord Black: fraudulently received non-compete fees from the sale of Hollinger International assetsdeprived the company of his honest servicesrepeatedly benefited himself at the expense of the company and its public shareholders through the abuse of company perks Other executives on trial John Boultbee - former chief financial officerPeter Atkinson - former general counselMark Kipnis - former corporate counsel and secretary The fall of Conrad Black Jeff Randall: Has Black's luck run out? THE CHARGES Criminal charges 15 charges of fraudone of obstruction of justiceone of racketeering Federal prosecutors allege Lord Black: fraudulently received non-compete fees from the sale of Hollinger International assetsdeprived the company of his honest servicesrepeatedly benefited himself at the expense of the company and its public shareholders through the abuse of company perks Other executives on trial John Boultbee - former chief financial officerPeter Atkinson - former general counselMark Kipnis - former corporate counsel and secretary The fall of Conrad Black Jeff Randall: Has Black's luck run out? class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6451181.stm">Profile: Patrick Fitzgerald
The titles in his empire ranged from the UK's Daily Telegraph to the Jerusalem Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.The titles in his empire ranged from the UK's Daily Telegraph to the Jerusalem Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.
But the Canadian-born tycoon was forced to quit as chief executive of Hollinger International, now named Sun-Times Media Group, after shareholders accused him of siphoning off millions of dollars in unauthorised payments to himself.But the Canadian-born tycoon was forced to quit as chief executive of Hollinger International, now named Sun-Times Media Group, after shareholders accused him of siphoning off millions of dollars in unauthorised payments to himself.
Lord Black will face accusations he used company funds to pay for a lavish birthday party for his wife, as well as designer handbags, opera tickets and the refurbishment of a Rolls-Royce.Lord Black will face accusations he used company funds to pay for a lavish birthday party for his wife, as well as designer handbags, opera tickets and the refurbishment of a Rolls-Royce.
"He managed the company for his own benefit and had a royal, almost Louis XIV attitude towards his shareholders," said Ross Albert, a principal at the Atlanta-based law firm Morris, Manning & Martin."He managed the company for his own benefit and had a royal, almost Louis XIV attitude towards his shareholders," said Ross Albert, a principal at the Atlanta-based law firm Morris, Manning & Martin.
"The question is, did his personality and sense of entitlement contribute to misconduct?""The question is, did his personality and sense of entitlement contribute to misconduct?"
In an article published on Saturday for Canada's National Post newspaper, entitled "I am not afraid", Lord Black said he was confident that the trial would find in his favour.In an article published on Saturday for Canada's National Post newspaper, entitled "I am not afraid", Lord Black said he was confident that the trial would find in his favour.
"As I know the facts and believe in the fairness of 12 randomly selected Americans, I am confident of the outcome," he wrote in the paper he previously founded."As I know the facts and believe in the fairness of 12 randomly selected Americans, I am confident of the outcome," he wrote in the paper he previously founded.
Lord Black ran Hollinger International for eight years before stepping down in November 2003.Lord Black ran Hollinger International for eight years before stepping down in November 2003.
He renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001, becoming a British citizen so he could take up a seat in the House of Lords.He renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001, becoming a British citizen so he could take up a seat in the House of Lords.