Conrad Black drops bid to return to Canada

Conrad Black has withdrawn his request to return to Canada while a U.S. appeals court reviews his fraud convictions, sources say. Lawyers for the 65-year-old former newspaper baron, who was released on bail two weeks ago, have notified U.S. Federal District Court Judge Amy St. Eve that Lord Black will not be filing additional disclosure about his finances as a pre-condition before she would entertain his request to return to his Toronto home. His lawyers are said to be concerned the legal document could be a potential trap that U.S. prosecutors can — and will — use against the Montreal-born businessman to revoke his bail. In 2006, U.S. prosecutors tried unsuccessfully to have Lord Black’s bail rescinded, claiming he had lied in a sworn affidavit about his finances.