Former press baron Conrad Black compared himself to a privileged aristocrat of the French revolutionary era as he wrestled with the high cost of using his company plane, US prosecutors said.

Conrad Black, the former owner of the Daily Telegraph, and three other executives have been charged with fraud in America involving the $2.1bn ($1.79bn) sale of several hundred Canadian newspapers and the abuse of company perks at newspaper publishing company Hollinger International.

FBI agents seized nearly €7.3m in proceeds from the sale of embattled media baron Conrad Black's apartment on New York’s Park Avenue.

Former owner of the Daily Telegraph Conrad Black and long-time business partner David Radler have resigned as officers and directors of Ravelston Corporation, the private holding company behind the troubled Hollinger media empire.

Publishing giant Hollinger International is seeking more than $1.25bn (€1.05bn) in damages in an amended legal action against former Daily Telegraph boss Conrad Black and other former executives claiming new financial wrongdoing.