Conrad Black has requested an emergency delay to the start of his six-year sentence for defrauding shareholders at Hollinger International while his lawyers appeal against his conviction.

The former Telegraph Group chairman and two co-defendants were convicted of stealing millions from the newspaper empire that he built.

They were due to report to prison to start their sentences on March 3, but last night their lawyers asked a Chicago judge to let them remain free pending the outcome of their appeals.

The deadline for reporting to prison might pass before the appeals court decides whether to allow Black and his co-defendants to stay free, the lawyers said in a five-page emergency motion.

The motion said that the three men could go to prison and start serving their sentences only to be released days later by the court.

“A brief delay of applicants’ surrender date until after this court rules on the application does not prejudice any party or undermine the goals of the justice system,” the lawyers told the appeals court.

Black, 63, was joined in his emergency motion by Peter Atkinson and John Boultbee, two former Hollinger executives who were also convicted following a trial of more than three months.

They were accused of cheating Hollinger International shareholders by siphoning off millions of dollars that should have gone into the company treasury and disguising the money as “non-compete payments.”

Such payments are often made in the publishing business to sellers of newspapers who promise in exchange not to return to the same circulation area to compete with the new owners for a specified period of time.

The three men were acquitted of most of the charges against them but convicted of three counts each of fraud. Black was convicted of obstruction of justice for illegally hauling records out of his office.

Black was sentenced to 78 months, Boultbee to 27 months and Atkinson to 24 months. Atkinson and Boultbee are Canadians. Black is Canadian-born but surrendered his Canadian citizenship when he was appointed to the House of Lords as Lord Black of Crossharbour.

Federal prosecutors are due to file their reply to the emergency request on Febuary 25.

Explore Law

• Corporate Law

• Public Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Student Law

• Law Reports

Times Recommends

• Future Stars of the Bar 2008
• Lawyer of the Week: Julie Morris
• Charging suspects - why it's a job for prosecutors