A Tale of Two Convicted Felons

Now that Conrad Black has been convicted of mail fraud and obstruction of justice the real fun begins. With prosecutors asking that Black's $21 million bond be revoked, fearing the Lord of Crossharbour to be a flight risk, Black has voluntarily turned in his passport while he awaits sentencing from Judge Amy St. Eve on November 30th. Now the search for his money begins.

Of course, government offices here and in Canada are in front of the line, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission seeking damages from Black. Looking for front cuts is the Sun-Times News Group, which - and this must stick in the craw of some there - had an obligation to foot the bill for Black's legal defense fees, as he was presumed innocent of crimes committed as chairman. They're looking to recoup millions. The search could prove fruitless; Black no doubt probably planned for the event by mortgaging his holdings and hiding the cash. His estates in Florida and Toronto are heavily mortgaged, his private holdings in Ravelston are in receivership, and his public stock holdings are less than $3 million. Combined, they won't come close to covering the nearly $1 billion in legal fees and penalties demanded of him.

Meanwhile, former Cicero Elective Majesty Betty Loren-Maltese (Falcon) is trying to get her conviction overturned again. This time, she 's claiming that her attorneys, among them celebrity trial lawyers Alan Dershowitz and Terry Gillespie - were 'ineffective" in keeping her out of jail because they failed to call key friends of Betty witnesses who would have possibly lied under oath authenticated minutes during town meetings in which Loren-Maltese called for an investigation of Specialty Risk Consultants in a dog an pony show intended to show she's "tough on crime.

The connecting theme between Black and Loren-Maltese (Falcon) appears to be entitlement. While Black's opinions of his self-worth and sense of entitlement have been well-documented, Loren-Maltese has still not shown any genuine remorse for her crimes, according to the federal judge slated to hear her appeal. Loren-Maltese has a young daughter being looked after by her mother while she serves her time. That would be enough for anyone to resort to any avenue he or she has to get out early. Except for one: showing penitence, which is what being in a penitentiary is intended.