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Black lawyers grill aide on lies Black associate grilled on 'lies'
(about 9 hours later)
Lord Black's closest business aide was grilled in cross-examination over past lies he told prosecutors relating to his involvement in suspected fraud.Lord Black's closest business aide was grilled in cross-examination over past lies he told prosecutors relating to his involvement in suspected fraud.
David Radler, the chief prosecution witness in Lord Black's fraud trial, admitted he had previously lied about so-called "non-compete" payments. David Radler, the chief prosecution witness in Lord Black's fraud trial in Chicago, admitted previously lying about so-called "non-compete" payments.
Earlier in the week, he testified that Lord Black, his former boss, had initiated the scheme to enrich himself.Earlier in the week, he testified that Lord Black, his former boss, had initiated the scheme to enrich himself.
Media mogul Lord Black denies all charges of fraud and racketeering.Media mogul Lord Black denies all charges of fraud and racketeering.
LynchpinLynchpin
In his opening argument, defence lawyer Edward Greenspan tried to discredit Mr Radler's testimony, seen as the lynchpin to the prosecution's case, and portray him as one of the main culprits in the scandal that rocked Hollinger.In his opening argument, defence lawyer Edward Greenspan tried to discredit Mr Radler's testimony, seen as the lynchpin to the prosecution's case, and portray him as one of the main culprits in the scandal that rocked Hollinger.
I am not lying David Radler, in courtI am not lying David Radler, in court
Questioned whether he lied to a special committee set up by the company in 2003 to investigate allegations of fraud among its executives, Mr Radler admitted he did.Questioned whether he lied to a special committee set up by the company in 2003 to investigate allegations of fraud among its executives, Mr Radler admitted he did.
He also admitted lying to the same prosecutor responsible for putting him on the stand - in exchange for a reduced jail term of 29 months - to save himself and "others".He also admitted lying to the same prosecutor responsible for putting him on the stand - in exchange for a reduced jail term of 29 months - to save himself and "others".
"So, you might be lying now," Greenspan pressed. "Lying to save yourself?""So, you might be lying now," Greenspan pressed. "Lying to save yourself?"
"False. I am not lying," Mr Radler responded."False. I am not lying," Mr Radler responded.
'Improper bonuses''Improper bonuses'
Lord Black and his accomplices - fellow Hollinger executives - are accused of effectively stealing $60m over a number of years through "non-compete" deals.Lord Black and his accomplices - fellow Hollinger executives - are accused of effectively stealing $60m over a number of years through "non-compete" deals.
These are agreements designed to recompense a company for not competing with an asset it has sold.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, which at its height owned Britain's Daily Telegraph, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Jerusalem Post, was selling hundreds of newspapers in the US and Canada.The payments came at a time when Hollinger, which at its height owned 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.Prosecutors allege these payments were actually improper bonuses.
Mr Radler has already told the Chicago court how he knew a scheme his boss hatched to pay themselves millions of pounds was wrong and how he "regrets" not alerting the firm's board of directors.Mr Radler has already told the Chicago court how he knew a scheme his boss hatched to pay themselves millions of pounds was wrong and how he "regrets" not alerting the firm's board of directors.
Lord Black has contended that Hollinger International's board approved all the payments in question.Lord Black has contended that Hollinger International's board approved all the payments in question.
If convicted, he faces a jail sentence of more than 100 years and millions of pounds in fines.If convicted, he faces a jail sentence of more than 100 years and millions of pounds in fines.