From the category archives:

U.S. Justice

Conrad Black’s Race to the Bottom

December 26, 2009

By attacking American presidential leadership under Barack Obama and invoking a racial slur in the process, Mr. Black continues to show who and what he is. Conrad M. Black, famous for vituperative excess, renouncing his Canadian citizenship to become a British Lord, disdain for shareholders whom he viewed as a cheap source of capital and, [...]

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Why Canada’s Stock Markets Attracted Russian Mobsters Like a Magnet

October 26, 2009

Even a former Premier of Ontario claimed he was duped as he presided over this fraudster’s scheme. The odd name YBM Magnex suddenly emerged from its shadowy past last week when the FBI placed Semion Mogilevich, its Russian mobster mastermind, on its “Ten Most Wanted” list. He is accused of swindling Canadian and U.S. investors [...]

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There is Madness in the Madoff Punishment, Too

June 30, 2009

Are we looking here at a return to the kind of circus-like justice found in the Roman Colosseum two thousand years ago, designed as much to entertain as it was to penalize? Many things come to mind with the sentencing in Manhattan federal court of Bernard Madoff for the almost incalculable fraud he inflicted upon [...]

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Black to be Heard

May 18, 2009

The American justice system, which Conrad M. Black disparaged before, during and after his conviction on fraud and obstruction of justice charges in 2007, has taken a surprising turn today -surprising to Mr. Black, especially.  The U.S. Supreme Court announced this morning that it will hear his appeal. A few years ago, there were not [...]

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Crackdown in the Boardroom

June 20, 2008

Even Canada’s corporate crime cops are suddenly busy busting businessmen It was a day for the record books. Never have so many high profile former insiders in so many companies been charged with fraud on both sides of the border. The RCMP, a frequent object of criticism for its slow pace in bringing white-collar criminals [...]

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Is Elba or St. Helena Next for Conrad Black?

December 11, 2007

The otherwise avoidable fall of great men from high places always commands public attention and often history’s scorn. It is difficult to know what the future holds for Conrad Black. We learned yesterday that he has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in a U.S. federal prison. However much his friends interpret this as yet [...]

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Lord Black’s Bankerly Circle of Beneficence

November 29, 2007

Anyone might give a helping hand to struggling musicians, hungry journalists or stranded students. But bankers? If there is more compelling evidence of a selfless heart on the part of Conrad Black, it’s hard to imagine what it would be. Conrad Black’s defence team has filed statements and letters from family and supporters as part [...]

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The Fall of Conrad Black | Part 1 | The Unheeded Lessons from Lord Kylsant of Carmarthen

July 26, 2007

Seventy–six years ago, the business world was rocked by another sensational trial involving corporate fraud and the scamming of investors with a prominent baron at the centre of the scandal. It did not end well for Lord Kylsant of Carmarthen. The uncanny similarities are not encouraging for Lord Black of Crossharbour.   A Finlay ON [...]

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The Trial of Conrad Black | Early Verdicts Part 1: Governance and Gatekeepers

June 27, 2007

Whatever else it may be, the Hollinger saga has been another valuable lesson in how not to run a company —and in what kind of company investors should avoid. Even before the outcome is known in the trial of Conrad Black and other former officers and directors of Hollinger International, the verdict of public opinion [...]

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