Conrad Black sued for $71 million in back U.S., taxes

Conrad Black is being sued for $71 million in back taxes by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, which alleges he failed to report $120 million in U.S. income during the period 1998 to2003. The IRS claims U.S. federal tax court that Black filed no tax returns and paid no tax on $120 million (all figures U.S.) in taxable income between 1998 and 2003, according to media reports.
According to Forbes magazine, Black — currently serving a 6 ½ year sentence in a Florida prison — is challenging the claim, arguing in court filings he was not subject to U.S. taxing authority. Former Black business partner David Radler, who is being sued by the IRS for $66 million in unpaid taxes of income of $111 million, is advancing a similar claim, arguing he never lived in the U.S. and, during his years as publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, stayed in company-supplied housing, Forbes reports. Also being sued is Peter Y. Atkinson, a Toronto lawyer who acted for Ravelston, Black’s private holding company. The IRS is seeking $1.3 million from Atkinson on what it says was unreported income of $2.2 million in 2000 and 2001.