State v. Suarez

670 P.2d 1192, 137 Ariz. 367
CourtCourt of Appeals of Arizona
DecidedJuly 19, 1983
Docket1 CA-CR 5920
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 670 P.2d 1192 (State v. Suarez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Arizona primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Suarez, 670 P.2d 1192, 137 Ariz. 367 (Ark. Ct. App. 1983).

Opinion

137 Ariz. 367 (1983)
670 P.2d 1192

STATE of Arizona, Appellee,
v.
Roberto SUAREZ, Appellant.

No. 1 CA-CR 5920.

Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division 1, Department A.

July 19, 1983.
Rehearing Denied August 22, 1983.
Review Denied October 12, 1983.

*369 Robert K. Corbin, Atty. Gen. by William J. Schafer III, Chief Counsel, Crim. Div., *370 and Robert S. Golden, Asst. Atty. Gen., Phoenix, for appellee.

Harvey R. Jackson, Lake Havasu City, for appellant.

OPINION

CONTRERAS, Judge.

Following a trial by jury, appellant was convicted of one count of fraudulent scheme and artifice in violation of A.R.S. § 13-2310. The trial court suspended imposition of sentence and placed appellant on probation for a term of five years, and as conditions of probation, ordered that appellant serve a year in the county jail and pay restitution in the amount of $6,000. He timely filed a notice of appeal and raises nine issues for our consideration:

1. Whether the indictment is void for duplicity;
2. Whether the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict of acquittal as to a portion of the indictment;
3. Whether the trial court properly instructed the jury;
4. Whether the State of Arizona had jurisdiction over the offense charged;
5. Whether the prosecutor commented on the appellant's right to remain silent at trial;
6. Whether the evidence is sufficient to support the conviction;
7. Whether appellant's right to a speedy trial was violated;
8. Whether the citing of an erroneous statute in the indictment renders the indictment void; and
9. Whether appellant received effective representation by trial counsel.

The evidence introduced at trial revealed that appellant was the finance director of Lake Havasu City until his resignation in December, 1980. His successor in office discovered irregularities in certain checks drawn on the Lake Havasu City account, and signed by appellant. She reported the irregularities to her supervisor, and an investigation ensued. The investigation revealed that a Mr. O'Leary, an employee of the Burroughs Corporation in Las Vegas, Nevada, had dealt with appellant in his capacity as finance director concerning the purchase of a computer system for Lake Havasu City. Following the installation of the computer, O'Leary told appellant he would provide the city with five free computer discs which had a value of approximately $100 each. In March or April, 1980, O'Leary brought two or three discs to Lake Havasu City with the understanding that he would bring the balance of the free discs on his next visit. When O'Leary delivered the discs to appellant, appellant proposed that he write out a city check to O'Leary for $400, and that O'Leary return half of the amount of the check, $200, to appellant personally. The city check was written to a fictitious corporation, Nevada Computer Supply or Mark O'Leary. O'Leary deposited the check in his personal checking account and gave appellant a check for half the amount. O'Leary testified that from March through September or October of 1980, he conducted anywhere from seven to ten such transactions with appellant. O'Leary estimated that he gave appellant 30 to 40 discs which resulted in a "kickback" to appellant during this time. He also testified that all but one of the exchanges occurred in Arizona. The state introduced into evidence checks representing five of the transactions between O'Leary and appellant.

The evidence produced at trial also revealed that appellant was engaged in somewhat similar conduct with another employee of Burroughs Corporation, Lawrence Tapper. Tapper was a programmer for Burroughs, and was engaged in "moonlighting" activities from time to time. If a party needed a computer program changed, Tapper would, upon occasion, change the program during his spare time and charge the party personally for his work. Tapper testified that moonlighting activities were *371 against company rules at Burroughs. He stated that at the end of 1979, Lake Havasu City purchased a new system from Burroughs, and at that point, Tapper did his work and his dealings with appellant primarily in Las Vegas. Appellant told Tapper that the city would not authorize his (appellant's) expenses to come to Las Vegas, and proposed a plan with Tapper to cover his expenses. Pursuant to this plan, appellant would pay Tapper for his moonlighting by check issued on the city account, and Tapper would reimburse appellant for half the amount of the check. Tapper testified that appellant's proposal occurred either at the end of 1979 or the beginning of 1980.

The evidence also disclosed that in approximately September, 1980, Tapper started selling discs to appellant. He testified that the majority of the discs were ones which he had picked up from other customers who had Burroughs equipment and no longer needed the discs. Tapper would service the discs and resell them. In September, appellant called Tapper and indicated that he needed some discs, and that he needed to purchase them for $82.50. Appellant had been buying discs from O'Leary for $80 per disc. He indicated to Tapper that he wanted to buy the discs at the same price and he added $2.50 to indicate an appearance of sales tax. Tapper estimated that he sold appellant 50 discs. Appellant paid for the discs with checks drawn on the Lake Havasu City account. The checks, for the most part, were made payable to Nevada Computer Supply or Larry Tapper, although Tapper did have appellant make out three checks to another party. Tapper would cash the checks and give half of the face value of the check back to appellant. Tapper also testified that he gave to appellant half of the value of the moonlighting checks.

Both O'Leary and appellant's replacement as finance director in Lake Havasu City testified that the city had procured many more discs than were needed by the city.

Based on the evidence presented, the jury found appellant guilty of fraudulent scheme and artifice.

DUPLICITOUS INDICTMENT

For his first issue on appeal, appellant asserts that the indictment is void for duplicity. He contends that the state charged 24 separate offenses in one count.

Appellant was charged by indictment as follows:

On or about January 1, 1980 through January 1, 1981, at 1795 Civic Center Blvd., Lake Havasu City, Mohave County, Arizona, the defendant, ROBERTO SUAREZ, pursuant to a scheme or artifice to defraud, knowingly obtained a benefit to wit: approximately $6000 by means of false pretenses, representations, promises or material omission, all in violation of A.R.S. §§ 13-701, 13-801, 13-2301 and 13-2310.

At no time prior to trial did appellant file a motion to dismiss the indictment on grounds of duplicity or for any other reason.

Appellant asserts that pretrial discovery revealed 24 transactions between appellant and O'Leary or Tapper. He argues, therefore, that the indictment included in one count 24 distinct and separate offenses.

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Bluebook (online)
670 P.2d 1192, 137 Ariz. 367, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-suarez-arizctapp-1983.