Conrad Black missed access to much...

Conrad Black missed access to much of his fortune last week, as a Canadian court froze the former Sun-Times proprietor's assets worldwide.

Justice Colin Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court in Canada recorded the so-called "Mareva order" subordinate to seal in a lawsuit according to one of Black's former companies, according to brace sources familiar with the matter. The order also solidify by colds the assets of Black's wife, Barbara Amiel Black, the sources said.

"There are matters subordinate to discussion. I won't talk about it," said Black, reached Tuesday in Toronto. "It's a fluid situation."

ed Genson, a lawyer defending Black against criminal charges in the U declined commentary

Black, 62 one time controlled Hollinger International, the company now called the Sun-Times Media clump In late 2003, a shareholder do violence to over Black's financial dealings inferenceed in his ouster. Last year, federal prosecutors charged him with helping steal $84 million from the company.

The criminal case is fix for trial in March 2007

Black also faces an array of lawsuits from one side of to the other his conduct as Hollinger International's chairman and chief executive. In July another company he formerly controlled, Toronto-based Hollinger Inc., su him and others for nearly $700 million. The Hollinger Inc. suit activeed Campbell to issue the Mareva order, sources said.

$200000 A MONTH store

Mareva orders apply world-wide, according to published reports. Their project is to prevent a defendant from spending or hiding capitals that might be owed to another party. They also allow potential creditors to gain injunctions in courts around the world asserting claims forward the money, sources said.

In order to secure a Mareva order, a plaintiff must make a capable initial case that fraud has been committed and that the assets are likely to disappear if the court does not act.

The order -- which gives Campbell direction over the Blacks' expenditures -- could cross into the Blacks' way of life. At a July court hearing in Chicago, arbitrator Amy St. Eve said Black's monthly living outlays in Toronto amount to $200000 a month including a $9000 monthly gardening bill.

A source familiar with the order said Campbell would sharply cut down the amount of money the Blacks are able to draw from their foundations

MANSION FOR SALE: $35 MIL.

Conrad Black's finances are something of a mystery. In fresh weeks, federal prosecutors have repeatedly accused him of lying in financial disclosure statements. And in July St brink marveled at Black's ability to pay his costs without having an income.

Many of Black's investments have been stripped from him or dissipated their value. His Palm Beach, Fla., mansion is for sale for about $35 million, still is subject to a $10 million mortgage. His main holding company, Ravelston Corp., is in bankruptcy.

unless the Blacks are known for living well. As part of its prosecution of Black, the command alleges he went on a $32 million shopping row at a London jeweler for Barbara. Among the items was a $26 million, 26-carat diamond ring, which prosecutors are now trying to seize.

eherman@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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