After the "Vogue" interview, Hollinger International began legal action in Illinois against the couple and other executives, seeking $1.25 billion in damages. The lifestyle that Lord and Lady Black of Crossharbour enjoyed was charged to Hollinger expenses. A court filing by Hollinger in the Chicago Court at the end of August 2004 said Amiel had been paid $6.7 million in salary, bonuses and fees by the company during the seven years she was vice-president whose indicated tasks were "nothing more than euphemisms for ordinary activities". Between 1998 and 2003, Amiel served as a columnist at her husband's "Chicago Sun-Times" and earned $1.3 million for a limited number of articles.