Judge delays Conrad Black sentencing

A US judge has delayed fallen press baron Conrad Black's sentencing for his conviction on fraud and obstruction of justice charges…

A US judge has delayed fallen press baron Conrad Black's sentencing for his conviction on fraud and obstruction of justice charges by several days into December.

Black, former head of a media empire that once included London's Daily Telegraphand the Jerusalem Post, will be sentenced December 10th in Chicago.

He was to have been sentenced on November 30th.

Black was convicted in July on three counts of fraud and one count of obstruction of justice for paying himself $3 million in illegal bonuses in the form of non-compete payments from Chicago-based media company Hollinger International Inc.

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Black is out on bail while awaiting sentencing. He maintains his innocence and has vowed to appeal the conviction.

The jury acquitted him on nine other charges.

Prosecutors have not disclosed the sentence they plan to seek for Black, but suggested at the time of his conviction that it could be at least 15 to 20 years.

The defence has said the conviction calls for a sentence of about five years.

Black's three co-defendants, who were convicted along with him in July, also are scheduled to be sentenced on December 10th.

David Radler, Black's long-time business partner who later reached a plea agreement and turned government witness against him, also awaits sentencing.