Conrad Black has lost an appeal of fraud and obstruction of justice convictions and will have to serve out his sentence in a Florida prison for what the court described as a “misuse” of his position as Hollinger’s chief executive “for private gain.”
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal in Chicago affirmed the convictions Wednesday, saying arguments by Black, 63, and his three co-defendants weren’t sufficient to overturn the charges.
“The evidence established a conventional fraud, that is, a theft of money or other property from Hollinger by misrepresentations and misleading omissions amounting to fraud,” judges Richard Posner, Michael Kanne and Diane Sykes said in a written decision.
The three-judge panel rejected Black’s argument that he and other executives were entitled to certain payments, calling some of the suggestions made during the trial in favour of the need for non-compete fees “ridiculous.”
“It’s very discouraging and disappointing and we’re looking carefully at what our options are now,” Black’s appeal lawyer Andrew Frey said of the ruling Wednesday.
“I think we have very good issues and I think that we got the brush off.”
Frey said he believes the decision contained factual errors and said Black’s options at this point include petitioning the Court of Appeal to re-hear the case, or trying to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Shortly after the release of the decision, Frey said he hadn’t yet spoken to Black, but expected him to be extremely disappointed.
“I’m very disappointed and I’m not the one who has to spend six years of my life in prison,” Frey said.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal in Chicago affirmed the convictions Wednesday, saying arguments by Black, 63, and his three co-defendants weren’t sufficient to overturn the charges.
“The evidence established a conventional fraud, that is, a theft of money or other property from Hollinger by misrepresentations and misleading omissions amounting to fraud,” judges Richard Posner, Michael Kanne and Diane Sykes said in a written decision.
The three-judge panel rejected Black’s argument that he and other executives were entitled to certain payments, calling some of the suggestions made during the trial in favour of the need for non-compete fees “ridiculous.”
“It’s very discouraging and disappointing and we’re looking carefully at what our options are now,” Black’s appeal lawyer Andrew Frey said of the ruling Wednesday.
“I think we have very good issues and I think that we got the brush off.”
Frey said he believes the decision contained factual errors and said Black’s options at this point include petitioning the Court of Appeal to re-hear the case, or trying to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Shortly after the release of the decision, Frey said he hadn’t yet spoken to Black, but expected him to be extremely disappointed.
“I’m very disappointed and I’m not the one who has to spend six years of my life in prison,” Frey said.
