A U.S. District Court judge has delayed her decision on whether Conrad Black can eventually return to Canada, meaning he cannot leave the United States at the moment.
Judge Amy St. Eve said she would give Black and his lawyer "a couple of weeks" to provide a full financial affidavit to the court, which she will use to evaluate his flight risk.
"I need additional information…to make a fully informed decision," St. Eve said Monday. "I don't want this rushed because I want complete information."
The judge spoke with Black and his lawyer at a Chicago courthouse on Monday afternoon when she informed the former media mogul about his bail conditions.
Black was dressed in a blue suit and red tie. His wife, Barbara Amiel, accompanied him to court.
His lawyer, Miguel Estrada, said Black wanted to return to his home in Toronto because of his wife's undisclosed "health issues."
Estrada said the hot weather in Florida wasn't good for Amiel's health. He added that the ownership of the Florida home is also in "flux."
Prosecutor Julie Porter said that Black should have to stay in the U.S. before an appeals court can look at his 2007 fraud case. A decision on whether Black's fraud charges can be thrown out will occur in the coming days.
The 65-year-old Black was released from a Florida prison Wednesday, after a long-time friend, U.S. businessman Roger Hertog, put up a $2 million bond on his behalf.
Black had served more than two years of a six-and-a-half-year sentence for fraud and obstruction of justice charges -- the former of which is now under appeal.
Though Black wants to return to Canada, it is unclear how that will work as he is no longer a Canadian citizen and he has been convicted of an indictable offence.
Asked about the case on Thursday, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney would not comment on whether Black needed, or would receive, special dispensation to enter the country.
"Every case is assessed by public servants against the law, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and that's really I can say," Kenney said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Amiel remains a Canadian and his marriage to her may allow him to gain entry to his former home country. Black gave up his Canadian citizenship almost 10 years ago to become a member of the British House of Lords.
The couple was seen leaving their former Palm Beach mansion in a black SUV on Thursday. A few hours later, they were later spotted outside the Four Seasons hotel in Chicago on Thursday evening.
Black used to be the sole owner of the $32-million property in Palm Beach, though the title was later transferred to a U.S. investment company. It is presently up for sale.
Black still owns a home in Toronto's posh Bridle Path area.
But he owes the Internal Revenue Service US$71 million in unpaid taxes, according to a recently-launched complaint south of the border.
With files from The Canadian Press
