'This is no Enron' says Black, insisting he will be vindicated in court

LONDON – Disgraced former owner of the Daily Telegraph Lord Conrad Black has claimed he will be completely vindicated of all charges as he faces up to 40 years in prison if he is found guilty of fraud by a US court.

Speaking to Canadian journalists yesterday after a brief visit to a book launch, Black denied all the charges against him.

"Absolute nonsense. There's no truth or substance whatsoever to these charges," he said.

"Look, I understand it's a good news story, but this has been one massive smear job from A to Z and it will have a surprise ending, a complete vindication of the defendants and an exposure of their persecutors."

Black was at the party in Toronto where he stayed for only minutes having one glass of wine before being swarmed by reporters as he waited for his car.

Joking by mobile to his driver, Black said he was "with my friends, the press".

Later the peer made a comparison to Bernard Ebbers, the WorldCom chief executive who was sentenced to 25 years for fraud.

"Keep a little perspective guys. This isn't Enron. This isn't WorldCom," he said.

Black, former chairman and chief executive of Hollinger, was indicted on eight charges by the US District Attorney in Chicago last week.

If found guilty on top of a prison sentence he faces the prospect of paying a $250,000 fine on each charge -- a total of $2m.

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