Today's National Post:
This is the last of these columns I shall write before I have to defend myself against the unfounded charges that have stalked and shadowed me these several years. The trial of the facts that approaches has been amply publicized, but I hope I may be permitted a few reflections now.When the life that I had worked more than 30 years to build, as a serious, reasonably respected newspaper publisher, was suddenly assaulted with extreme violence on every side more than three years ago, my wife and I returned to Canada, seeking a legally and financially defensible perimeter.
Apart from those who knew us well, there were cries of joy that I might be a corporate wrongdoer, and an almost Times Square New Year's countdown to my anticipated conviction.
Other than receiving news of a well-advanced terminal illness, an experience of which we have unfortunately had some experience in our family, I can hardly imagine a more startling change of life and prospect, since I had done nothing illegal. The principle of the presumption of innocence was largely ignored by the press and regulators.
Continue reading right to the end.
I was in Montreal last week interviewing for articling positions. At one firm, one of the interviewers who had checked out this blog asked if I shouldn't disclose my past connections to Mr. Black when I write a post about him. I thought it was a good and fair question and pointed out to him that I have disclosed it on the bio page.
But to be absolutely certain everyone reading this is aware, I have been employed by Black twice in the past as a book researcher. Enjoyed every minute of it and probably learned more in those few months than during my almost seven years of post-secondary education.
