Peer 'told aide to skim off $12m from newspaper deals' (Lord Black trial)

Peer 'told aide to skim off $12m from newspaper deals'

www.timesonline.co.uk

A lifelong friend and partner of Conrad Black gave the first evidence yesterday that directly linked the former press baron to millions of dollars in unauthorised payments.

David Radler, Lord Black of Crossharbour’s right-hand man for 36 years, told a Chicago court that the former chairman of The Daily Telegraph had instructed him to siphon off $12 million in unapproved “non-compete” fees during the sale of 45 small-town newspapers in America in 1999.

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 10/5/07 by masqua]

Lord Black has found himself in the tar pits and is slowly sinking as his best friend just gave him a push. When it comes to making money, they're all smiles and backslaps, but when it comes to paying fines or prison, it's every man for himself it seems.

www.timesonline.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

Radler stands his ground and may force Lord Black to the stand in his own defence.

An interesting exchange in the Lord Black trial today;

Link
David Radler, the right-hand man to Lord Black of Crossharbour for 36 years who is testifying in return for a lenient 29-month sentence, suggested that Lord Black and his three co-accused could also have decided to tell the truth.

“We all had the opportunity to do that. All of us had the opportunity to do that,” he told Edward “Fast Eddie” Greenspan.

-snip-

Mr Radler admitted that he had initially lied to cover up his crime, but insisted he was now telling the truth.

“Sir, I lied because of the personal consequences and the associates I had and the consequences for them,” he said.

“You lied to save yourself?” Mr Greenspan asked.

“And others,” Mr Radler replied.

“You lied to save yourself?” Mr Greenspan insisted.

“Yes,” Mr Radler conceded.

Mr Greenspan asked about Lord Black’s purchase of the Telegraph newspapers, suggesting that Lord Black had learnt of the opportunity through the exclusive Bilderberg conference, particularly from Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State.

*bolding mine

At last we are getting a taste of the kind of dealings going on at the Bilderberger conferences.


[edit on 10/5/07 by masqua]