Ron Safer, a lawyer who represents one of Black’s co-defendants, Mark S. Kipnis, acknowledged that his client was less than diligent, even derelict, in his duties as lawyer for Hollinger International, the company Black controlled, the paper reported.
But Safer argued that it was “silly” to suggest that Kipnis did something criminal to line his pockets and those of Black and other Hollinger executives with millions of dollars in bogus noncompete payments, the paper reported.
“Not his finest moment,” Safer said. “Mark did not lie or attempt to mislead anyone.” If anything, Mr. Kipnis perhaps aided the government by not covering up the financial documents prosecutors are using to try Black, Safer said, adding that if Kipnis blundered, it was because he was not skilled in securities law or accounting, the paper reported.
Safer was followed by Eric H. Sussman, the assistant United States attorney, who was expected to finish his rebuttal by day’s end but told Judge Amy J. St. Eve he would need some additional time Wednesday before the reading of jury instructions begins in Federal District Court, the paper reported.-New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
