General

Will freedom for Conrad Black be short-lived?

Return to jail possible as hearing set for today

Former media mogul Conrad Black could eventually go back to prison, or a judge could set him free for good: a status hearing Thursday in Chicago could provide clues about actions U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve may take. Black is returning to court after losing his latest appeal against conviction on fraud and obstruction charges. He was released last year from a Florida prison while he appealed his conviction for defrauding Hollinger International Inc. investors. An appeals court in October reversed two of his fraud convictions, citing a ruling on “honest services” laws. At the same time, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals let stand one fraud and one obstruction of justice conviction. The fraud conviction, the judges found, involved Black and others taking $600,000 and had nothing to do with honest services: It was, they said, theft. In light of these mixed successes, Judge St. Eve could either resentence Black on the retained convictions or allow him to stay free based on time served. Just what St. Eve will do Thursday isn’t clear.

Toronto Star

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