Radler testimony critical to Conrad Black case

MUCH-anticipated testimony this week by David Radler, the ex-partner of former media baron Conrad Black, will likely make or break the criminal case against Mr Black and three fellow executives, lawyers said.

The trial, which is entering its eighth week, will reach a crescendo when Mr Radler, who was once operations chief at Hollinger International, takes the witness stand some time today and faces what is sure to be withering cross-examination from each of the four defendants’ lawyers.

Federal prosecutors get first crack and will try to paint Mr Radler, 64, as Mr Black’s co-conspirator in skimming $60 million (€44m) from Hollinger as the two dismantled the Chicago-based company they had built into one of the world’s largest newspaper publishers.