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Hard to imagine Lord Black
walking a penitentiary range
Winnipeg Free Press
Focus, Saturday, September 24, 2005, p. a15
DALLAS HANSEN
Things look irredemably dark for the Rt.-Hon. Conrad Moffat Black,
Baron Black of Crossharbour. Under investigation for fraud by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, in late 2003 Lord Black pleaded the
Fifth Amendment -- which protects against self-incrimination -- and
opted not to testify.
Unfortunately for Lord Black, he's also under investigation in Canada,
where there's no legal equivalent to pleading the Fifth. When quizzed
by a court-appointed inspector of Hollinger Inc., Lord Black will be
required to answer questions under oath, after which his responses will
surely be exported to the SEC.
Worse, Lord Black's former crony, David Radler, has himself pleaded
guilty to fraud and has reportedly snitched on his old boss. A U.S.
indictment against Lord Black seems imminent. And if the 25-year
sentences recently meted out to Tyco boss Dennis Kozlowski, and
WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers are any guide, Lord Black, now 61, may not
see parole until after he's 70.
For all his looming legal trouble, it's hard to imagine Lord Black on a
Illinois penitentiary range. It just seems too far to fall for a man
who until recently roamed the world in a private jet, travelling (using
a special passport given only to members of the Queen's Privy Council
of Canada) between his luxury residences in London, New York, Toronto
and Palm Beach, Fla., a man who parties with the Windsors and the
Rothschilds, and holds a seat in Britain's House of Lords.
Hardly anyone feels sorry for Lord Black, but I do. Though I cannot
accurately fathom the extravagance of his lifestyle, having it all and
losing it all must certainly be worse than never having had any of it.
He may be Canada's most notorious grafter, but as an audacious figure
Lord Black was a rarity among this country's ruling class. He made many
of his acquisitions without putting up his own money -- borrowing half
from a lender and half from the seller. He flaunted his wealth without
being vulgar about it and flaunted his intellect without seeming a
charlatan. He kept busy, regularly putting himself on his newspapers'
op-ed pages, and writing extensive biographies: his work on former
Quebec premier Maurice Duplessis is said to be the definitive study of
the man, and his latest book, a biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
received rave reviews. Among his boldest statements was a suggestion
that Canada should join the United States, though given the zeal with
which the SEC and the FBI are assembling their case against him, he
might not now think that such a superb idea.
For all his rampant selfishness, Lord Black improved the lives of many
-- journalists especially. The National Post was an unprofitable
undertaking that fattened the incomes and enlarged the audience of such
deserving writers as Robert Fulford and Mordecai Richler (and
undeserving ones such as Mark Steyn). High editorial standards at the
National Post and other Hollinger dailies led to better quality content
at competing papers such as the Toronto Star, and the Globe and Mail.
The National Post gave voice (and money) to innumerable emerging
writers and significantly expanded opportunities in Canada's media
economy.
All this is lost on Canada's centre-left contingent, many of whom would
relish seeing Lord Black's pompous, arrogant, snobby, smirking face
after being sent off to do a lengthy prison bid. If working people
don't innately despise the rich, they seldom love a man who attacks
their beloved institutions (medicare for starters) while emphasizing
his socioeconomic superiority.
But is Lord Black truly doomed? If he's indicted, it's unlikely he'll
change his story -- a denial of all wrongdoing -- and plead guilty.
Although up against Mr. Radler's incriminating testimony, Lord Black
might still be acquitted. Even with his American assets frozen, it's
safe to say he's stashed millions in offshore accounts that U.S. or
Canadian authorities can never touch. He could ride out the remainder
of his life in a country without extradition.
Or maybe he'll remain in London and take up his seat in the House of
Lords. Holed up within the precincts of Parliament he'll benefit from
immunity from arrest.
Category: Editorial and Opinions
Uniform subject(s): The press and print media
Length: Medium, 572 words
© 2005 Winnipeg Free Press. All rights reserved.
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