BLACK'S FREEBIES

NEW YORK POST ^ | May 11, 2004 | TIM ARANGO

[Liz]

LIVING LARGE: Former Hollinger chief Conrad Black and his wife Barbara Amiel Black supported lavish lifestyles on the company's tab.

Conrad Black's looting of his newspaper empire ran so deep that his wife even charged the company for tips to the doorman at Bergdorf Goodman, according to explosive new allegations made public yesterday.

[Liz]

In the mid 1990s, Black and others set up a "sham" company called Moffat Management in Barbados and funneled $900,000 of Hollinger money offshore in the form of a "broker fee," according to the suit. The lawsuit says "neither Moffat Management nor its principals ever performed 'broker' services for [Hollinger International]."

[Liz]

The suit also details Amiel Black's alleged involvement in the burgeoning financial scandal. From 1999 to 2003, Amiel Black received about $1.1 million in salary and bonus, although "during this time she performed little if any work for the company," according to the suit.

The company got charged for Babs tips to Bergdorf's doorman. How much did she hit them up for her purchases? (/sarcasm)

[ken5050]

Morning, LIz..off topic question, but did you read much about Leah Fastow's new sentence...it got very little press...the judge did a great job..

[Liz]

Ken, nothing in print or broadcast news about LF and cable news only did a flyby "runner" on it. She got a year......six more months than the original deal. The judge musta "got" the message from ex-Enroners who were screwed royally by the Fastow's.

[COUNTrecount]

Hollinger International publishes the Chicago Sun-Times, the London Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post, among others. Investment bank Lazard is currently conducting an auction of Hollinger's newspaper properties.


These are some of the papers that carry the remarkable Mark Steyn.I hope that new owners will continue to publish his outstanding commentary.

[sticker]

I wonder if the media ever covers this they will bring up the fact that this started in the mid 1990s, or if it will be President Bush's fault?

[freekitty]

I believe using the company to pay for personal items is a no no. (sarcasm)

[Fracas]

I wonder if she donated hubby's undies to charity and deducted it from their tax return? There's precedent for that, you know....

[Liz]

Blacks' tax returns? An interesting topic. Wonder if they been looked at? LOL.

[Fracas]

I understand they've been requested as 'discovery' in the lawsuit. This could get interesting!

[Liz]

Babs better be prepared to get hit with charges ala Leah Fastow.