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Conrad Black awaiting sentencing Conrad Black awaiting sentencing
(about 6 hours later)
Five months after being convicted of fraud and obstructing justice, former media tycoon Conrad Black is due in court for sentencing. Five months after being convicted of fraud and obstructing justice, former media tycoon Conrad Black is due in court for sentencing later.
The maximum sentence for Black's crimes - whose guilty verdict the British peer is appealing - is 35 years.The maximum sentence for Black's crimes - whose guilty verdict the British peer is appealing - is 35 years.
But legal experts say he can expect a jail term of between five and 15 years.But legal experts say he can expect a jail term of between five and 15 years.
Black, who has continued to profess his innocence since the trial, has said the prospect of a lengthy spell in prison was "a bore but quite endurable".Black, who has continued to profess his innocence since the trial, has said the prospect of a lengthy spell in prison was "a bore but quite endurable".
'Not ashamed''Not ashamed'
In an e-mail sent to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Black said he would not feel ashamed of being incarcerated.In an e-mail sent to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Black said he would not feel ashamed of being incarcerated.
"I can get on with anyone and adjust to almost anything and I don't consider it shaming," he said."I can get on with anyone and adjust to almost anything and I don't consider it shaming," he said.
Along with several former business associates, Black was convicted of three counts of stealing $3.5m from shareholders of the newspaper publisher Hollinger International that he once headed.Along with several former business associates, Black was convicted of three counts of stealing $3.5m from shareholders of the newspaper publisher Hollinger International that he once headed.
They were found guilty of paying themselves tax-free bonuses from the sale of newspaper assets without the approval of the company's board.They were found guilty of paying themselves tax-free bonuses from the sale of newspaper assets without the approval of the company's board.
Conrad Black's BBC InterviewConrad Black's BBC Interview
In addition, Black was convicted on one count of obstructing justice, after being recorded on tape removing documents from his office in Toronto after US regulators had informed him he was under investigation.In addition, Black was convicted on one count of obstructing justice, after being recorded on tape removing documents from his office in Toronto after US regulators had informed him he was under investigation.
The maximum sentence for the fraud convictions is five years while an obstruction of justice conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.The maximum sentence for the fraud convictions is five years while an obstruction of justice conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Defence lawyers believe the 63-year old will be sent down for a maximum of six years but prosecutors are seeking a more punitive sentence because of Black's apparent lack of remorse over his actions.Defence lawyers believe the 63-year old will be sent down for a maximum of six years but prosecutors are seeking a more punitive sentence because of Black's apparent lack of remorse over his actions.
In a BBC interview last month, Black claimed he done "absolutely nothing" wrong and had been a victim of persecution by the US government.In a BBC interview last month, Black claimed he done "absolutely nothing" wrong and had been a victim of persecution by the US government.
"This story is not over," he said. "This isn't like a fall and it is not an end.""This story is not over," he said. "This isn't like a fall and it is not an end."
Black is currently free on $21m (£10.5m) bail but is restricted in his movements to the Chicago area and his Florida mansion.Black is currently free on $21m (£10.5m) bail but is restricted in his movements to the Chicago area and his Florida mansion.