NPR: Conrad Black Must Stay in U.S., Can't Return to Canada

Conrad Black Must Stay in U.S., Can't Return to Canada

Former Hollinger International CEO Conrad Black arrives at the federal courthouse in Chicago on Thursday.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Media mogul Conrad Black won't have to go to jail while he awaits sentencing for his recent convictions on charges of fraud and obstruction of justice. But he can't leave the United States -- meaning he can't go back to Canada.

The Financial Times reports that Judge Amy St. Eve allowed Black to remain free on his $21 million bond but said he had to stay "within the northern district of Illinois or the area surrounding his home in Palm Beach." She rejected a request from prosecutors that Black be jailed, saying she didn't think he would "run and hide." She did express concern, however, that Black might go to Canada and fight extradition back to the U.S.

But I'm pretty sure The Great White North isn't waiting with open arms. Although he was born in Canada, Black conducted a loud and rancorous slugfest with then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien's Liberal government several years ago about his desire to become Lord Black in the British House of Lords. (Canadian citizens are not permitted to accept foreign titles.) As the Toronto Star reports, Black ultimately renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001, describing it as "an impediment to my progress in another more amenable jurisdiction."

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this annoyed the average Canadian. As a result, there is a "quiet feeling of glee" among Canadians over Black's conviction, Will Ferguson writes in an op-ed piece in The New York Times.

Last night, I called friends in four cities -- Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver -- and asked what they would think about Black coming back to Canada. It was not a popular idea. As one friend put it, "He didn't want us; we don't want him."

Black will be back in court on Aug. 1. His lawyers plan to argue that he be allowed to return to Canada until his sentencing on Nov. 30.

9:39 AM ET | 07-20-2007 | permalink

Comments

If Black was an American and gave up his citizenship, whould you want him back?

Sent by Bryan | 9:06 AM ET | 07-25-2007

Conrad Black is not a person with a good reputation. He was forced to pay back some of the Dominion grocery store workers pension money in Canada some years ago. I hope he NEVER comes back to Canada.
It is too bad any country has to have this person on their soil.

Sent by Alex | 12:57 PM ET | 07-27-2007

Once you leave Black,
We don't want you back.

You need to face the music for your actions.

Sent by Mark N | 7:39 PM ET | 07-29-2007

Get lost Black. You are not someone we want in our country. You deserve to pay for SOME of your actions in prison.
You are not welcome back in Canada and you are no longer a Canadian anyway.

Sent by Jim S | 7:18 AM ET | 08-01-2007

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