Trump Signs Full Pardon for Ex-media Mogul Conrad Black

Former media mogul Conrad Black arrives at a business luncheon where he will be making a speech in Toronto, Canada June 22, 2012. Mark Blinch/Reuters

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a full pardon for former media mogul Conrad Black, who was convicted in 2007 of fraud and obstruction of justice and spent 3-1/2 years in prison, the White House said.

Black, 74, a Canadian-born British citizen, once ran an international newspaper empire that included the Chicago Sun-Times, Britain’s Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post.

Former Hollinger International chairman Conrad Black, daughter Alana (L) and wife Barbara Amiel leave federal court after his sentencing Dec. 10, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

“Lord Black’s case has attracted broad support from many high-profile individuals who have vigorously vouched for his exceptional character,” the White House said in a statement announcing the pardon.

He was found guilty in the United States in 2007 of scheming to siphon off millions of dollars from the sale of newspapers owned by Hollinger Inc, where he was chief executive and chairman.

Black was sentenced to six and half years in jail and fines after being found guilty on three counts of fraud and obstruction of justice in a trial stemming from charges that he looted over $50 million dollars from Hollinger. Dec. 2007. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Two of his three fraud convictions were later voided, and his sentence was shortened. He was released from a Florida prison in May 2012 and deported from the United States.

The office of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment.

By Eric Beech