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There are numbers you toss around, numbers you think you can prove, and numbers that won't confuse a jury. Back in August 2004, an internal investigation by Hollinger International concluded that deposed execs Conrad Black, David Radler, et al had stolen about $400 million from the company. But when the federal indictment came down a year later, Black and et al (Radler turned state's evidence) were accused of swiping only about $84 million, and that, or some approximation, became the number in play in the media right up to the start of the trial. Yet when assistant U.S. attorney Jeffrey Cramer began his opening statement Tuesday he told the jury, "You are sitting in a room with four men who stole $60 million."
Had Black overnight become $24 million less guilty? If he could keep up the pace he'd be back in Toronto by the weekend.
The papers didn't do much of a job of explaining what was going on. The New York Times simply said the change "seemed to reflect a decision by the government to no longer challenge one of the payments made to Mr. Black." Mary Wisniewski and Natasha Korecki of the Sun-Times, which as a Hollinger paper bears the heaviest burden to get the story right, ignored what Cramer said and stuck with the $84 million.
And they should have: the prosecution was just keeping it simple. The $60 million allegedly disappeared in business deals in which all four defendants -- Black, Peter Atkinson, John Boultbee, and Mark Kipnis -- were working together. The prosecution still maintains that Black, sometimes working freelance, took a lot more.
Underlining the meaninglessness of the $60 million figure as an actual measure of cupidity, there was Radler's settlement last weekend with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Sun-Times Media Group, which is what Hollinger International has become. To satisfy civil claims, Radler agreed to forfeit about $50 million of his own money and another $42 million belonging to three newspaper chains he controls.
The Young Baltimore Author who Just Won't Quit
Perhaps by now you've heard of Valdez V. Fisher, Jr. He's the 31 year old author of the self-help/motivational book I Ain't Bitin' My Tongue. Fisher, determined to get the word out, has launched a staggering 12,000+ emails since the inception of his book in 2005. The emails have been directed to anyone and everyone he felt could be of assistance in his endeavor, from the media to politicians. His youth targeted book addresses such critical issues as self-esteem, parenting, wealth management, education, selective role models, choices, and post traumatic recovery. When asked "What makes you the expert on these issues?" he responded "I never claimed to be an expert. I am merely a young man who has made many mistakes, and would like to prevent my peers from falling prey to the same pitfalls."
Fisher has loved writing since he knew what a pencil was. From age five, he began writing poetry, and letters to celebrities. Donald Trump, who Fisher deeply admires and looks up to, was not only favorably mentioned in his book, but written dozens of letters over the years. Although he has never personally responded, he recently sent Fisher a polite "cease and desist" through his secretary, acknowledging Fisher's many contact attempts, and wishing him the best of luck with his book. Fisher framed the letter.
Fisher is a ball of energetic fire that rejection cannot extinguish. The only exonerees from his regular help-seeking and informative emails are individuals who take the time to respond. Fisher stated in a recent interview on Maryland's WJZ TV 13 that "he can accept no for an answer; however, no response at all is viewed by him as a potential possibility." Without a public relations firm behind him, or so much as a literary agent, he was able to persuade actor Lance Warlock of the movie Halloween II, to write the foreword to his book. Halloween is a classic horror film, written and directed by the legendary John Carpenter, and Debra Hill. In addition, he has regular contact via phone, email, and Internet instant message with New York Times best-selling author Omar Tyree, who has told Fisher he would grant consideration to writing the foreword to his next book.
I Ain't Bitin' My Tongue is one of the most unconventional books of its genre. Although pregnant with truth and delivering vital points, it manages to remain absolutely hilarious all throughout. Fisher delves deep into his personal life, and begins his prescriptions for greater levels of personal fulfillment with an open invitation through the time capsule of his existence. He truly did not "bite his tongue." The award winning poetry of Fisher can also be found in his book. Through it, he takes readers further along a journey of learning experiences and triumph.
Fisher's book is available worldwide at your local bookstore, or by visiting amazon.com, walmart.com, books-a-million.com, and target.com. The ISBN (international standard book number) is 1420874586. He loves reader feedback, and can be emailed anytime at: BooksByValdez@aol.com. For public appearances including book signings, please contact:
Valdez In Print National Headquarters
c/o Public Affairs
Post Office Box 23951
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-5951
410-456-3660