Judge blocks out Black's whereabouts

COURTS | Northern Illinois, south Florida the extent of where he can travel

Former press baron Conrad Black doesn't have to go jail, but he can't go to his home in Toronto until a federal judge receives additional assurance that he will return for his Nov. 30 sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve restricted Black's movements to northern Illinois and southern Florida, where he has a beachfront mansion.

"With conditions imposed by the court, there is clear and convincing evidence he won't flee," St. Eve said.

Black, 62, was convicted last Friday of three counts of fraud and one count of obstruction of justice in connection with a scheme to steal millions of dollars from the company that owns the Chicago Sun-Times.

Black faces as much as 30 years in prison for the crime, according to prosecutors, who say that Black is a flight risk and should go to jail immediately.

In arguing for Black to be detained, assistant U.S. attorney Eric Sussman noted that Black is in default on his Palm Beach mansion, which was used to post part of his $21 million bond. Sussman said that Black promised to fix the default last summer, and didn't.

"Mr. Black's word is not worth literally the paper it's written on now," Sussman said.

Sussman also argued that the court couldn't trust Black's promise that he wouldn't fight extradition from Canada, which could be a "lengthy process."

Black's attorney, Edward Greenspan, countered that Black was bound by assurances that he would not fight extradition. He even offered to accompany Black to the Canadian border to ensure that he surrendered his passport to officials.

St. Eve wanted to know if Black had any other assets available for bond. This question is muddied by a sealed Canadian court order that limits Black's spending. The order was issued in connection with a civil lawsuit against Black.

St. Eve asked Black to give her more information about his assets and about extradition issues for a hearing Aug. 1, when she'll consider whether he can go to Canada.

St. Eve also said that the interest rate Black is paying on his Palm Beach mansion should be renegotiated. Black is paying $133,000 a month in interest only on the defaulted property.

Contributing: Shamus Toomey and Abdon M. Pallasch