By Mona Austin
After serving three years in prison for fraud and obstruction of justice, former media mogul Conrad Black was granted a full pardon by President Trump on Wednesday.
Black, 74 has referred to the president as a friend and praised him in a book he wrote in jail last year, entitled Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other. Canadian-born British citizen, was the head of a newspaper conglomerate that included the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post.
Black said in a tweet he thought it was a prank call when he received a personal call from Trump.
NOTE: Black still wrote for the National Post while in prison.
The announcement about his clemency from the White House follows in its entirety.
Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Clemency for Lord Conrad M. Black of Crossharbour
5/15/19
Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Grant of Clemency (Full Pardon) for Lord Conrad M. Black of Crossharbour.
In 2007, prosecutors alleged that Lord Black had committed several acts of mail fraud and obstruction. The Supreme Court of the United States, however, largely disagreed and overturned almost all charges in his case. He nevertheless spent 3.5 years in prison.
An entrepreneur and scholar, Lord Black has made tremendous contributions to business, as well as to political and historical thought. Formerly the owner of the world’s then-third largest newspaper, he is also the author of several notable biographies and works of history. These include comprehensive biographies of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon, a complete history of Canada, and an impressive essay evaluating how the world would have been different had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor.
Lord Black’s case has attracted broad support from many high-profile individuals who have vigorously vouched for his exceptional character. This impressive list includes former Secretary of State Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Sir Elton John, Rush Limbaugh, the late William F. Buckley, Jr., and many additional notable individuals. Consistent with his distinguished reputation for helping others, while in prison, Lord Black served as a tutor for 150 students, helping them achieve their educational goals. In light of these facts, Mr. Black is entirely deserving of this Grant of Executive Clemency.
