University of Haifa returns donation by former 'Post' publisher

The move came after former publisher Radler pleaded guilty in September to multiple fraud charges including tax evasion.

By HAVIV RETTIG GUR
david radler 88 (photo credit: )
david radler 88
(photo credit: )
The University of Haifa announced on Monday that a $75,000 donation given in 2002 by then-Jerusalem Post publisher David Radler to the university's business school would be returned. The move came after Radler pleaded guilty in September to multiple fraud charges including tax evasion. Convicted on charges stemming from ongoing investigations by US and Canadian authorities into his role in stealing over $80 million from Hollinger Inc., Radler was sentenced to 29 months in prison and a $250,000 fine following his agreement to testify against former Hollinger CEO Conrad Black. Black's trial, with charges ranging from money laundering and racketeering to obstruction of justice, opened on March 14 in Chicago. Radler's receipt of an honorary degree from the University of Haifa - also in 2002 - cannot be revoked, since the university does not possess any procedural means to do so, university spokesman Amir Gilat told the Post on Monday. However, Gilat added, the university's president Prof. Aaron Ben-Zeev ordered that Radler's name be taken off the list of recipients. According to media reports, a report submitted by Hollinger to the Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that the $75,000 donation itself was partially funded out of The Jerusalem Post Charitable Fund.