Black lawyers call aide a 'liar'

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Lord Black's long-time business associate was labelled a "liar" by defence lawyers as he took the stand for the fifth day.

David Radler, the chief prosecution witness in Lord Black's fraud trial, appeared to backtrack on testimony he gave last week over past lies.

Mr Radler said he must have misunderstood the lawyer's question.

Media baron Lord Black, a member of Britain's House of Lords, denies all charges of fraud and racketeering.

Phone calls

Mr Radler admitted one count of fraud in 2005 in return for a reduced 29-month sentence and for taking the stand against his former business partner - a deal that was struck with the prosecution.

His credibility as a witness was again hammered by Lord Black's defence lawyer Edward Greenspan after he seemed to take back an admission that he had lied to a special committee set up by Hollinger in 2003 to investigate allegations of fraud among its executives.

"I had no access to those statements," Mr Radler told the Chicago court.

"Or its apparent that you're just a liar," Mr Greenspan retorted. "It's easy for you to lie, is it not?"

"I don't believe I have to answer that question," Mr Radler responded.

His testimony over phone calls between himself and Lord Black between 1999 and 2000 was also called into question.

The former head of Hollinger had testified that Lord Black set out plans to make "non-compete" payments to a Canadian company he closely controlled in these telephone conversations.

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

He also said his boss talked about involving fellow Hollinger executives, co-defendants Jack Boultbee and Peter Atkinson, in one particular call.

But Mr Radler confirmed the only proof he had of these calls was his own recollection.

"You cannot produce a single document that confirms this...correct," Mr Greenspan checked.

"That's correct," replied Mr Radler.

"And you're a self-confessed liar, correct," pressed Mr Greenspan.

"I told lies at times, yes," Mr Radler said.

Improper bonuses

Lord Black and his accomplices are accused of effectively stealing $60m over a number of years through "non-compete" payments.

These are agreements designed to recompense a company for not competing with an asset it has sold.

The payments came at a time when Hollinger, once owner of Britain's Daily Telegraph, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Jerusalem Post, was selling hundreds of newspapers in the US and Canada.

Prosecutors allege these payments were actually improper bonuses, but Lord Black has argued that Hollinger International's board approved all the payments in question.

If convicted, he faces more than 100 years in prison and millions of pounds in fines.