Court Denies Conrad Black Bond During Appeal

CHICAGO -- A federal appeals court denied on Thursday Conrad Black's request to remain free on bond, while the judges consider an appeal of his conviction for defrauding Hollinger International Inc and obstructing justice.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit said the flamboyant former press baron and member of Britain's House of Lords must surrender to a Florida prison to begin serving his 6-1/2-year sentence on March 3.

But the judges said Black and two fellow former executives convicted with him raised a "substantial" question on two of the fraud counts. Those executives, John Boultbee and Peter Atkinson, were permitted to remain free on bond during the appeal process.