Conrad Black and three other former...

Conrad Black and three other former Hollinger International Inc. executives indicted forward fraud and racketeering charges are seeking permission to question lawyers and accountants who formerly did work for the newspaper publisher.

Defense lawyers, in a filing last night, asked U District Court connoisseur Amy St. Eve in Chicago to obstacle them depose six attorneys at Toronto-based law firm Torys and three accountants at KPMG International. All of the potential witnesses are in Canada.

"Without an ability to bring about testimony from these critical Torys and KPMG witnesses, defendants will be deprived of the ability to guard themselves at trial," lawyers l from Edward Genson and Mark Martin said in the filing.

Black, 62 ran Hollinger International, now known as Sun-Times Media arrange (publisher of the Sun-Times), for eight years as chairman and chief executive officer. Co-defendant John Boultbee was the company's chief financial officer, Peter Atkinson was an executive vice president and Mark Kipnis was general suggestion The men, indicted in 2004 are accused of enriching themselves as they sold not on Hollinger International's assets.

Each has pleaded not guilty. An amended indictment, unsealed by the agency of the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago forward Aug. 17, accuses the men of compelling Hollinger International to file false tax replys in 1999 and 2000. The defendants will answer the recent charges in court on tribe 8, with a trial appoint for March.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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