US judge allows Conrad Black to remain free on bail

CHICAGO, Aug 2 (Reuters) A US judge extended Conrad Black's 21 million dollar bail but maintained restrictions that confine the convicted former newspaper tycoon to an area around Chicago and his Florida estate while he awaits sentencing.

Judge Amy St Eve of US District in Chicago refused a request by Black's attorneys yesterday to allow him to go back to his Toronto home pending sentencing in her court on Nov. 30.

Black, 62, who gave up his Canadian citizenship to become a member of Britain's House of Lords in 2001, was convicted last month of three counts of fraud and one count of obstructing justice for paying himself 3 million dollar in illegal bonuses in the form of so-called non-compete payments from Chicago-based Hollinger International Inc.

Prosecutors had urged the judge to jail Black immediately, claiming he poses a flight risk because he misled the court in providing collateral for his 21 million dollar bail and made critical comments about the government's case during the 15-week trial.

REUTERS SAM BST0641