Convicted media mogul Conrad Black has been told he is not allowed to go back to Canada prior to his sentencing on November 30. Black, who faces up to 35 years in jail, had asked to return to his home town of until the time of his sentence. But Judge Amy St Eve said she was not convinced Black wouldn't try to stay in his native country and fight extradition. So she has trusted him enough to release him on bail, but not enough to let him leave the US.

Earlier the court heard from Canadian Department of Justice officials that US prosecutors would have trouble extraditing Black if he decided to fight it.

The Toronto Sun's Peter Worthington argues that the judge was just covering her butt. Professor Peter Henning in his White Collar Crime Prof Blog suggests that it might be because Black's conduct during the trial had irked the judge so much that she had told his attorneys to control their client.

Whatever the reason, Black might be better staying in the US. He doesn't seem to have that big a fan club back home with Canada's history magazine The Beaver naming him in its list of the 10 worst Canadians, putting him right up there with criminals, prime ministers and one singer.

Meanwhile Hollinger, the company behind his media empire, has filed for bankruptcy.