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Black aide takes stand in trial Black aide takes stand in trial
(20 minutes later)
The executive who helped Lord Black build his media empire from its humble Canadian beginnings has taken the stand as chief prosecution witness.The executive who helped Lord Black build his media empire from its humble Canadian beginnings has taken the stand as chief prosecution witness.
Once head of operations at Hollinger International, David Radler, 64, admitted fraud in 2005 in return for a reduced 29-month jail term.Once head of operations at Hollinger International, David Radler, 64, admitted fraud in 2005 in return for a reduced 29-month jail term.
Prosecutors hope his testimony will seal the case against media baron Lord Black, who faces charges of fraud, racketeering and obstructing justice.Prosecutors hope his testimony will seal the case against media baron Lord Black, who faces charges of fraud, racketeering and obstructing justice.
Lord Black denies all wrongdoing.Lord Black denies all wrongdoing.
'Great partner''Great partner'
Mr Radler testified he met Lord Black in 1969, an event that marked the birth of one of the largest newspaper holding companies in the world - Hollinger International.Mr Radler testified he met Lord Black in 1969, an event that marked the birth of one of the largest newspaper holding companies in the world - Hollinger International.
"I was impressed with Mr Black's knowledge and his ability and I thought that he would be a great partner to have," Mr Radler told the Chicago court."I was impressed with Mr Black's knowledge and his ability and I thought that he would be a great partner to have," Mr Radler told the Chicago court.
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 secretaryTHE 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 recalled how he and the British peer bought a loss-making English-language newspaper in the French-speaking community of Sherbrooke in Quebec for $50,000 (£25,000) and made it profitable in three months.He recalled how he and the British peer bought a loss-making English-language newspaper in the French-speaking community of Sherbrooke in Quebec for $50,000 (£25,000) and made it profitable in three months.
Shortly after Mr Radler began testifying on the history of his relationship with Lord Black, the court was adjourned for lunch. Mr Radler testified that major financial and business decisions were made "jointly" and, at the time, him and Lord Black were "equal partners".
At issue is whether or not the former chief executive of Hollinger and his associates, John Boultbee, Peter Atkinson and Mark Kipnis, enriched themselves at the expense of shareholders with non-competition payments through the sale of hundreds of its community newspapers.At issue is whether or not the former chief executive of Hollinger and his associates, John Boultbee, Peter Atkinson and Mark Kipnis, enriched themselves at the expense of shareholders with non-competition payments through the sale of hundreds of its community newspapers.
Defence lawyers are expected to portray Lord Black's former right-hand man as central to the scandal that rocked Hollinger International, which owned titles such as the Jerusalem Post and Chicago Sun-Times. Defence lawyers are expected to portray Lord Black's former right-hand man as one of the main culprits in the scandal that rocked Hollinger International, which owned titles such as the Jerusalem Post and Chicago Sun-Times.