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Conrad Black drops request for hearing about tax liens

Former media baron Conrad Black is shown at the University Club in Toronto on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Black is fighting two liens that have been placed on his Toronto mansion that claim he owes more than $15 million in unpaid taxes.
Former media baron Conrad Black is shown at the University Club in Toronto on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Black is fighting two liens that have been placed on his Toronto mansion that claim he owes more than $15 million in unpaid taxes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

TORONTO – The Federal Court says former media baron Conrad Black has withdrawn his request for an emergency hearing related to tax liens that have been placed on his Toronto home.

The Federal Court said Black made the withdrawal late Monday. No reasons were given.

READ MORE: Conrad Black fighting liens on his mansion, CRA says he owes $15M

Black originally asked for the hearing, scheduled for Tuesday morning, because he argued that the liens are preventing him from selling the mansion.

He agreed in March to sell the nine-bedroom, 11-bathroom home at 26 Park Lane Circle in Toronto’s ritzy Bridle Path neighbourhood to multimillionaire businessman Harold Peerenboom for $14 million as part of a lease-back deal.

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Under the arrangement, Black and his wife, Barbara Amiel-Black, can continue to live in the home.

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In court documents, Black said Peerenboom wants the sale to close on or before June 30, and will not purchase the 23,000-square-foot property after that deadline.

READ MORE: Conrad Black pens piece professing admiration for Donald Trump

However, the Canada Revenue Agency has placed two liens against the property, alleging Black owes an excess of $15 million in taxes from 2002, 2003 and 2008.

Black argues in the documents that the liens need to be removed for the sale to proceed, saying he is willing to put the proceeds in a trust account pending the outcome of the tax dispute.

Conrad Black's home at 26 Park Circle Lane in Toronto is shown in a handout photo. An auction for the Toronto home of former media baron Conrad Black has officially opened.The 23,000-square-foot mansion in the tony Bridle Path neighbourhood was listed on March 8 with an estimated value of $21.8 million.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Concierge Auctions
Conrad Black’s home at 26 Park Circle Lane in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Concierge Auctions

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