Newspaper tycoon Conrad Black has been released from prison in Florida on bail.
According to a report today by the BBC, the former Daily Telegraph owner Black was released on a $2 million bond, pending an appeal over fraud convictions.
He was convicted of defrauding shareholders in 2007 after pocketing tax-free bonuses without permission, as well as obstructing justice and sentenced to 78 months in jail.
But a ruling by the Supreme Court in June weakening the “honest services” law central to his conviction made bail likely.
Black’s release was preceded by a Supreme Court ruling on one of the laws used to convict him. It said the three counts of fraud were based on a vague piece of US law that was interpreted too broadly by the prosecution.
Black has always claimed his innocence and launched several unsuccessful appeals, according to a report by the Telegraph on his release.
He said an interview before he was jailed: “This story is not over (…) This isn’t like a fall and it is not an end. Even on a worst case, I’ll be back.”
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