Conrad Black is facing four new criminal charges -- including racketeering and obstruction of justice -- and up to 95 years in jail if convicted on all counts in an expanded indictment filed yesterday by U.S. federal prosecutors.

Four additional anti-corruption charges, usually used to combat organized crime, allege the former publishing baron led an ongoing racketeering enterprise that engaged in money laundering, and mail and wire fraud to divert about US$85-million from Chicago-based Hollinger International Inc. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of more than US$92-million worth of Lord Black's assets, including homes in Florida and New York.

According to the 75-page, 15-count indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, "Black was the principal leader, manager and organizer of an association of individuals and entities" that existed to enrich himself and a group of four former associates and his Toronto-based private holding company at the expense of Hollinger International shareholders.

Lord Black, 61, was charged under the U.S. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO).

The indictment alleges he operated a scheme at Hollinger "through a pattern of seven specific racketeerings acts, each containing one or more underlying allegations of fraud or interstate transportation of money taken by fraud."

The new RICO charges supersede an 11-count indictment filed on Nov. 17 against Lord Black, Peter Atkinson, Mark Kipnis, John (Jack) Boultbee and the Ravelston Corp., Ltd., the Toronto-based private company through which Lord Black controlled his media assets.

Under RICO, U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of Lord Black's ownership interests in Conrad Black Capital Corp., an Ontario-based private holding company through which he controls some of his assets, as well as US$92-million, including US$8.9-million seized by the FBI from the sale of a New York apartment in October, and his Palm Beach, Fla., mansion that was listed for US$37-million earlier this year.

Sources say Lord Black and his wife, Barbara Amiel, have already had $70-million worth of their assets frozen or rendered inaccessible in the past two years.

Lord Black was expected to appear before federal Judge Amy St. Eve today and be arraigned on the new RICO charges. However, inclement weather in Toronto and Chicago could delay his attendance at the court proceeding. He has already pleaded not guilty to the 11-count indictment on Dec. 1, as have his co-defendants.

Edward Greenspan, a prominent Canadian criminal lawyer representing Lord Black, said yesterday his client "asserts his innocence without qualification to all the charges contained in this Indictment."

RICO affords U.S. prosecutors wider powers and entitles them to triple the restitution, fines and penalties they are seeking from the court. As well, the anti-corruption laws allow prosecutors to confiscate assets that were involved or used to control the alleged criminal activity before a conviction.

The racketeering and obstruction of justice charges carry maximum terms of 20 years each and 10 years if convicted for money laundering. If convicted on all counts, Lord Black faces up to 95 years in jail.

© National Post 2005