Conrad Black Spins Himself Deeper into Jail
There’s are lessons to be learned from the Conrad Black fraud conviction. Since Black obviously didn’t learn from the Martha Stewart conviction, maybe it bears repeating.
Your arrogant statements to the media can come back to haunt you.
Martha went to jail because of her public denials of wrongdoing, not because of her insider trading.
While on bail awaiting an appeal, Black finds himself denied the right to travel to Canada because of his blustery statements to the media about the injustice of the charges against him.
It’s yet another spin misstep for a man who defines himself as smarter and more decisive than anyone he meets.
Black, the former lord of all media he surveys, is going to jail because he was too arrogant and stubborn to accept rebukes from his board and shareholders. A quick mea culpa over his management team’s inappropriate personal gain from the sale of Hollinger International media properties would have allowed Black to resign, but maintain his freedom and whatever riches he could hold onto as his company spiralled out of his control.
It’s a typical story of the same personality traits that help a CEO rise to the top also being the cause of their downfall.
Arrogance is the opposite of remorse, so it’s not likely to help you when dealing with judges and juries. See my previous posts on Black’s defence and his media tangles.
Tags: arrogance, conrad black, media, hollinger, ceos, executives, apology, justice, martha stewart, jail, bail, trial
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POSTED IN: Advocacy, Crisis Communications, Executive Mindset, Media Relations, Persuasion, Reputation Management, Spin
43 opinions for Conrad Black Spins Himself Deeper into Jail
Joseph Fosco
Oct 26, 2007 at 7:25 pm
My close brother-in-Christ, Lord Conrad Black, whom I have spiritually bonded with since last Spring, has declared that I have come to be his closest (spiritual) confidant in Chicago. This compliment comes well after the dinner Conrad and I had with Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, wherefore I am especially grateful and much honored to be able to share such a magnificent compliment.
Forgive me if my “posted comments” do not exactly fit so appropriately next to the other “posted comments” on this site. My intentions are to share a special side of Conrad that most of the world has no idea exists. Aside from Conrad’s serious business maneuvering, Conrad is really a very compassionate, emotionally generous and spiritually connected person. Conrad has never intended to cause harm to anyone personally. Conrad never intended to violate laws. The jury in Chicago (my neighbors) decided that a majority of the criminal violations lodged against Conrad were unsubstantiated (petty). I pray that God forgives the jurors for mistakenly finding that Conrad supposedly committed a few of the violations. What can I say, they are not perfect. It is unfortunate that business leaders who become rich and along the way, cut costs in order to be effective in their pursuit of success, are often attacked by the ones (like the jurors), who are not perfect nor capable of understanding the multiple (very complex) facets of successfully directing an major corporation (in Conrad’s case several corporations). One must not lose focus of success by dwelling on the riches of the successful, one must dwell on the pursuit of ones own success, in order to establish their own riches.
Christ is protecting Conrad and the Holy Spirits blessings will forever remain with Conrad and all of his loved ones. I ask of the Holy Spirit, Christ, the Heavens above, please bless the United States Appeals System so my brother-in-Christ ultimately receives the (long overdue) just verdict that he most definitely deserves.
Thank you,
Joseph Fosco
Holy Name Cathedral Stewardship Committeeman
Sean DaCat
Nov 1, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Can someone tell me what Joseph Fosco
Holy Name Cathedral Stewardship Committeeman is smoking? I’d love to try it out.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 4, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Note: Some details deleted.
I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of offenders from the Chicago-land area (the same are in which Conrad Black was indicted, tried and convicted). Jurors and/or Judges have found these offenders guilty of felonies. All of them have served their time and are now home with their loved ones. Be advised that most of the offenders on this list have served less than half of the time that “arrogant” Conrad Black can face.
The offenders are as follows:
[names of 38 people deleted]
Sadly, all 38 of the offenders that I have listed here, who are all now home with their loved ones, are convicted of additional crimes (sex-crimes), therefore, requiring all of them to register on the Illinois Sexual Predators Web Site. Please note; their sex-crimes are all against children. The Illinois Sexual Predators Web Site and the Illinois Department of Corrections Web Site are my sources of information for the purposes of compiling my list.
It is an outrage that white-collar defendants face longer (or as long) jail terms than child killers (not to mention, white-collar cases, in large, are a wealth-redistribution mechanism; see Conrad Black’s recent comments in Men’s Vogue Magazine).
Some other thoughts: My lists of 38 offenders, like Conrad Black, are considered felons, the 38 offenders are widely thought of as “child killers,” and Conrad Black on the other hand, is widely thought of as “arrogant;” the one word that is most often used to describe Conrad Black, “arrogant.” I suppose people are saying about Conrad Black, “you arrogant person, you deserve more jail time than any of these 38 child-killers.” I have never been more conscience-stricken about being American than I am right now. Thankfully, Conrad Black and I have our religious bond.
Sincerely,
Conrad Black’s brother-in-Christ, Joseph Fosco
Sean DaCat
Nov 4, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Joseph, take a valium. If you don’t like the laws on child murderers, then contact your congressman.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 4, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Sean DaCat,
Thank you for your kind opinion.
Sean DaCat
Nov 4, 2007 at 7:06 pm
You’re welcome. The fact remains, Conrad Black broke the law, defrauded people for personal gain. Guilty as charged, and off to jail he goes (after all his appeals).
Joseph Fosco
Nov 4, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Dear Sean DaCat,
Apparently, you have a great deal of faith in the United States of America’s Justice System, good for you. It is a fact that American Presidents have pardoned tens of thousands of “incriminated” people. Personally, I believe that many innocent people are wrongfully prosecuted (successfully).
Eric Eggertson
Nov 4, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Joseph:
If you want to accuse 38 people of child sexual abuse and murder, go right ahead. But don’t list the people’s names on this blog.
I don’t have the time to chase down your claims and make sure each person cited was actually convicted of the charge you mention.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 4, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Dear Mr. Eggertson,
First, I would like to apologize for any concern I may have caused you. However, I assure you that I have thoroughly researched the 38 names personally. In fact, I have cited the government web sites that I used. Second, thank you for leaving the narrative portion of my post. I can live without the identities of 38 killers and attempted killers being exploited; although, I have published their names on many other sites relating to my brother-in-Christ, Lord Conrad Black.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
ja
Nov 10, 2007 at 10:41 am
we all deal with the same rules and regulations in our lives. conrad black’s problem is that he thought he was above these laws. i feel sorry for mr. black. he made his bed, and now he must sleep in it. as must we all.
Sean DaCat
Nov 10, 2007 at 11:08 pm
According to published reports, he is searching for prison quarters in England. Guess that would be appropriate for a Lord.
ja
Nov 11, 2007 at 7:05 am
mr. DaCat, my sense is that you are getting some kind of pleasure from mr. Black’s problems. perhaps you should worry about your own problems and let mr. black deal with his
Joseph Fosco
Nov 11, 2007 at 9:57 am
Lord Black has been persecuted for two reasons: one, David Radler broke the law (while Lord Black was abroad) and shifted blame as most criminals do, two, the United States of America took advantage of the opportunity of using Radler to pursue an attack on Lord Black’s wealth. Thankfully, the U.S. has failed miserably; nonetheless, my brother-in-Christ, Lord Black, will most likely serve prison time so the world can see him as a criminal (America’s little trick which disguises their wealth redistribution mechanism).
In addition, it is all owed to 12 jurors that most likely have a combined IQ of 800.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
ja
Nov 11, 2007 at 10:26 am
mr. fosco, please sir do not be so naive.
yes, mr. radler did break the law.
and mr. black did not get rich by being out of the country, all the while leaving his subordinates free reign to do as they pleased.
furthermore, you should be ashamed to comment as you did on the combined iq of the jurors. you are obviously a fairly intelligent man and you know better then to say such a thing.
are not all men, and women, your family-in-christ?
for the record, that same jury you criticized saved mr. black from what would most definately have been a much more severe sentence by reducing the number of convictions to four from twelve.
how about some gratitude for the jury for helping your brother-in-christ. please.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 11, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Noted, therefore, of the combined IQ score of 800, I award the helpful juror 120 points.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
Someone
Nov 11, 2007 at 2:01 pm
_______________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 6/05/07
EMBATTLED LORD CONRAD BLACK, on trial in Chicago, apparently took some down time to dine with Cardinal Francis George May 21 at the Holy Name Cathedral’s Rectory on North Wabash. Others in attendance at this small and private dinner: the Rev. Dan Mayall, pastor of Holy Name; Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Timothy J. Lyne; businessman Joseph Fosco, and attorney Robert DeMeo.
_____________________________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 6/19/07
Baseball’s Ernie Banks celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss with wife Liz at the 200 East Supper Club. At a separate table, embattled Lord Conrad Black, businessman/Holy Name Stewardship Committee member Joseph Fosco and Daniel Fitzgerald, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools, dined together and discussed school safety.
________________________________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 6/26/07
Though on trial, Lord Conrad Black is still making the social scene, recently seen relaxing and dining at LePetit Paris with Joe Fosco, businessman/ Holy Name Stewardship committeeman, and Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Miguel S. Bautista
_______________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 7/19/07
LORD CONRAD BLACK, who was convicted of obstruction of justice and fraud, dined and sipped Cristal with a few friends, businessman Joe Fosco and attorney Robert DeMeo, at the 200 East Supper Club on Tuesday night. They called the intimate gathering a “Majority Win Victory” celebration.
Black talked about his two favorite politicos, former Presidents Richard Nixon and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, both of whom he has authored books on. He also reportedly said that he thinks U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve is an excellent judge. He also said “he loves our city and the architecture and sees the similarity of Chicago and my hometown of Toronto, but Toronto is not as big.” Black also promises to “remain committed in his pursuit of full vindication.”
_____________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 10/02/07
Businessman/ Holy Name stewardship committeeman Joe Fosco hosted a party at LePetit Paris for a few dignitaries and supporters of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Catholic School System. The group included Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Timothy Lyne, TEC-Carrier heiress Mary Ann Mungo and semi-pro Hall of Famer Donald Johnson. During the party, media mogul Lord Conrad Black phoned in from his Florida estate to say hello.
_______________________________________
Sean DaCat
Nov 11, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Conrad Black used his position of authority to intimidate and steal. He thumbed his nose at an order to not remove property from his office and was caught like a cat burgler with his chauffer removing the property the court told him not to. The prosecution showed the tape, the jury convicted; perhaps it is Black whose I.Q. needs retesting and not the jury.
ja
Nov 11, 2007 at 8:03 pm
mr. fosco, please help me to understand something very important. your so-called brother-in-christ is going to jail, and you (who-ever you are(or think you are)) are joking about how many points you would award to a jury member???
Joseph Fosco
Nov 11, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I have spent many occasions discussing things with Conrad, mostly spiritual discussions; however, his case has come up on occasion. Conrad Black relied on the exact same person as the United States of America relied upon, David Radler (the selected corporate officer whom resided in Chicago, in other-words, the self-admitted criminal). Conrad relied upon Radler to lawfully conduct business in the U.S., whereas, the United States of America relied upon Radler to shift blame and deliver a “Cash Cow.” If there should be any kind of remorse, Radler would be the person who should be remorseful. On the other hand, should there be forgiveness, I would not be surprised if Conrad forgives Radler at some point; Conrad, being the far better man, probably understands that Radler happened to fear the most powerful country in the world, therefore, deciding to join them in entrapping a “Cash Cow.” Personally, the United States of America overzealously manipulating authority over the situation where Conrad moved boxes in Canada, which contained many items unrelated to their investigation, flabbergasts me. Those boxes were moved because Conrad had changed offices and the context of the boxes included personal medical information.
Whoever called America, “the land of opportunity,” knew what they were saying. The U.S. Attorney’s Office definitely acts opportunistically. When they can cash in on a situation, where a criminal, namely, RADLER, decides to shift blame and the old “wealth-redistribution mechanism” goes into play, where rich people are targeted by “disguise;” the “disguise” being a “capricious prosecution!” After the wealth is redistributed, the victim is sent off to jail in a further disguise to trick the world into thinking the victim is a criminal! A jury of 12, considered peers, guaranteed to have a number of idiots, is the brains of the entire case. No wonder the U.S. usually wins. Idiots automatically believe that “anyone” under indictment must be guilty of something.
Another subject: The tens of thousands of pardons issued over the years by American Presidents. Why?
Sean DaCat
Nov 12, 2007 at 12:28 am
Mr Fosco, you sound like a man in denial, just like Conrad. He MAY have had only personal effects in those boxes, and he MAY have returned everything without removing any contents; BUT we only have his word on his returning everything. The fact remains that he took boxes from the office in direct contravention of the Canadian Judge. So, I repeat, he was caught breaking an order, the jury saw what he did, and they voted to convict, as would any jury member who was not blind.
And on your point that American Justice Officials are indicting so as to distribute the wealth - when do you suppose they will go after Bill Gates and on what charges?
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 12:47 am
They already attcked Bill Gates, for having a Monopoly. Where have you been? And, if someone close to Gates violates the law, decides to shift blame, Gates will be hit hard, again.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 1:03 am
I just found this in 3 seconds on the net:
What should be done about Microsoft
The way the decision of the judge looks, I’d say he’s thinking about splitting up the company. And I think that would be the best solution. What’s clear is that Microsoft manipulated the operating system to give thier applications an advantage over everyone elses applications. They could make windows frienly to their apps and hostile towards their competitors, which they actually did according to the judge. The best way in my opinion to fix that is to split Microsoft up.
If they were split up then the applications company couldn’t get access to any system services that everyone else didn’t have access to. This would give all developers a fair shot. Microsoft also couldn’t use its windows monopoly to force computer makers not to carry competing products. Such a split would level the playing field and prevent Microsoft from running everyone else out of business and become the only software company in the world.
A split isn’t necessarilly bad for Microsoft in the long run. I think that all the little companies might end up becoming worth more than Microsoft as a whole. So if Microsoft is forced to split up, it doesn’t necessarilly mean they lose. As separate companies baby Microsoft’s would be under less federal regulation as it would be if it weren’t split.
If I were to split them up, I split them five ways. One company would be the operating system. Then you would have and applications copmany for Microsoft Office and other end user apps. I would make the browser a separate company so it would have to make it on it’s own without being subsidized by other software. I would also separate the development languages into a new company so that other conputer software language companies could create cross platform tools without Microsoft undermining their efforts. And finally, the MSN internet products should stand alone and compete fairly with everyone else. With this level of separation, the government wouldn’t need to become a nanny to Microsoft and the job would be done.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 1:07 am
This took 5 seconds, buy this book and learn something:
Amazon.com
Name the most successful companies over the last 10 years, and you’d be remiss if you didn’t mention Microsoft. Guided by the unique–some would say maniacal–personality of founder Bill Gates, Microsoft has grown faster and touched more lives than just about any other company in recent memory. Over the years, the software giant has been dogged by competitors–mainly in backrooms and courtrooms– and by the government on charges of unholy monopolies, predatory practices, and stifling innovation in the PC industry. As the government’s ongoing antitrust case against Microsoft goes to trial, this critical chorus grows even louder, led in part by Wendy Goldman Rohm’s book, The Microsoft File.
This is the book that Microsoft doesn’t want you to read. With the help of “insider” information from both Microsoft and the government, Goldman Rohm surveys the history of Microsoft’s business practices with PC manufacturers and software vendors. Tracing the development of the government’s antitrust case against Microsoft, starting at the FTC and continuing on at the Justice Department, she paints a harsh and unforgiving picture that’s not at all flattering to Gates or the rest of Microsoft’s top brass. The Bill Gates that emerges from these pages is small, petty, and deeply paranoid. At the same time, she puts a face on the Justice Department that’s never been seen before. For those who revel in examining the dark underbelly of America’s most successful company, The Microsoft File is a required and enormously entertaining read. It’s also a useful primer for anyone interested in the government’s antitrust efforts. Highly recommended. –Harry C. Edwards
The Wall Street Journal, Holman Jenkins Jr.
Ms. Rohm’s book can at least be read as a germ-seed of the Justice Department’s antitrust case.
ja
Nov 12, 2007 at 5:57 am
dear mr. fosco,
you seem a close friend and a devoted supporter of mr. black. for that i am sure he is grateful.
i salute your dedication to your friend.
still, i urge you not to lose sight of reality.
in your note dated, oct. 26th, you said, and i quote, “One must not lose focus of success by dwelling on the riches of the successful, one must dwell on the pursuit of ones own success.”
i think, sir, that the time has come for you to practice what you preach.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 10:03 am
Dear JA,
If what you presume was the case (”losing sight” and “dwelling”); I would have commended you for being insightful.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 10:16 am
Dear JA,
By you taking what I said out of context and manipulating my words to use against me in an ineffective way, compels me to ask, are you a U.S. Government employee?
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
ja
Nov 12, 2007 at 10:32 am
dear mr. fasco,
sorry to offend you, i am not trying to be manipulative.
sorry also to disappoint you. i am not a u.s. gov. employee. if i was, then i suppose my perceived manipulations would have fit your image of me perfectly.
i am in fact one of many canadians saddened by your brother-in-christ’s downfall.
mr. black, being an intelligent man, could have accomplished so much, and done so much to help so many others.
and now, the reality is that he is going to jail.
this is a loss for all of us.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 10:41 am
Dear JA,
“This is a loss for us all” is the one thing we seem to agree upon. You know, just because someone has a lot of money does not mean they should hand it away. And if they decide to hang on to every penny, that is not a crime.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 10:47 am
Your are a Canadian, crying about Conrad who has not done a great deal to help many other Canadians. I am an American (fourth generation), crying about America targeting another “Cash-Cow” and hitting him right in the pocket, and worse, attempting to jail him. .Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
ja
Nov 12, 2007 at 10:55 am
mr. fosco,
i am a writer. believe me when i say i know what it is to hang on to every penny.
mr. black’s crime is not hanging onto his pennies. his crime is that he was hanging on to other people’s pennies.
i believe we are all brothers, and sisters. (not necessarily in christ mind you.) i believe that all things are connected. and the failure of mr. black is a loss for all of us.
not because he is mr. black, but rather, because, in the end, he is my brother.
as are you.
does this mean that george bush is also my bother?? i guess so….
in the end, mr. black is just doing what ever it takes to be mr. black. i cannot know what that is until i walk a few miles in his shoes.
ja
Nov 12, 2007 at 11:10 am
mr. fosco,
as a fourth generation american, your grammar is terrible.
where was i crying about conrad black? not surprisingly, it is you who is being manipulative.
in as many words, i was saying that, given his position of influence, he could have accomplished so much more for all people everywhere.
and as far as being a canadian is concerned, i am a very proud fourth generation canadian, and would never give up my canadian passport.
and furthermore, let us agree on one other point. your american government, the same government that gives you the right to sit there in your chair and pontificate freely, without fear of retribution, is the same government that is not attempting to put him in jail. for better or worse, they are most surely going to put him in jail.
that is his reality now.
that is your reality too.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 11:21 am
Dear Mr. JA,
Your insults are weak.
I wish you well.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 11:21 am
Or Ms. JA?
ja
Nov 12, 2007 at 11:29 am
mr. fosco,
i wish you, and your brother-in-christ, all the best.
ja
Nov 12, 2007 at 2:28 pm
joe fosco,
a final footnote.
i did a bit of research on you and if it is true that mr. black calls you his closest spiritual confidant in chicago, then i am very sad to say that he has fallen much further than i could have imagined.
Sean DaCat
Nov 12, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Mr Fosco, while you say you would never give up your passport, it seems your “brother in Christ” Conrad Black had no such values. As you know, to hasten his climb up the social ladder, he publicly renounced his citizenship to become a Lord in the British Parliament. At the time he said, in effect, that Canada was a backwater country that would go nowhere. Now, that he is convicted, he is desperate in his attempts to regain his citizenship - not because he loves it any more, but because it would allow him to serve a more lenient sentence here in Canada. So much for values and principles.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Dear Sean DaCat,
We all know that Conrad temporarily relinquished his Canadian Citizenship, to better himself, no doubt. I commend Conrad for having undying love for Canada, his home. After obtaining an important goal, Conrad, seeks to regain what he loves so much, his Canadian citizenship. Unfortunately, the timing is coincidental.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fosco
Sean DaCat
Nov 12, 2007 at 6:13 pm
It became temporary when he was indicted. It became more temporary when he was found guilty. This is why he is now having his lawyers looking into the British prison system.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 12, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Dear Sean,
So what if Conrad attempts to secure a desirable prison location, would you not?
Hagere
Nov 15, 2007 at 9:28 pm
So… MR Fosco you are here… you are kind of missed on the other side please make sure you vist them once in while THEY NEED YOU (:
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