United States v. Eugene Telfair

473 F. App'x 867
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
DecidedApril 10, 2012
Docket11-10627
StatusUnpublished

This text of 473 F. App'x 867 (United States v. Eugene Telfair) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Eugene Telfair, 473 F. App'x 867 (11th Cir. 2012).

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Eugene Telfair appeals his convictions and sentences for conspiracy to steal or misapply funds from an organization that receives federal assistance and to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371,1349, 666(a)(1)(A), and 1343; stealing or misapplying funds from an organization that receives federal assistance, and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 666(a)(1)(A) and 2; and misapplying funds as a credit union employee, and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 657 and 2. On appeal, Telfair argues that the evidence at trial was insufficient to convict him of the crimes charged. Telfair also argues that the district court clearly erred at sentencing in calculating a reasonable loss amount under U.S.S.G. § 2Bl.l(b)(l), and that it erred in concluding that the two-level enhancement for abuse of a position of trust was appropriate under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3. 1

I. The Sufficiency of the Evidence

Telfair argues that the district court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal, and that the evidence at trial was insufficient to convict him of any of the crimes charged, because the evidence showed that he had a contract for consulting services with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (“FAMU”). Telfair asserts generally that, pursuant to the terms of the consulting services agreement (“CSA”), he was entitled to $150,000.00 that was at issue in the case, so as a matter of law, he cannot be convicted of stealing or conspiring to steal money that is lawfully his. Telfair asserts that although FAMU remitted the $150,000.00 check at issue to FAMU Federal Credit Union (“FAMU FCU”), the check was intended for him pursuant to the CSA, and he had the authority as President of FAMU FCU to negotiate the check.

We review de novo the denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal, and in reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence underlying a conviction, we consider the evidence “in the light most favorable to the government, with all inferences and credibility choices drawn in the government’s favor.” United States v. DuBose, 598 F.3d 726, 729 (11th Cir.2010) (quotation omitted). The standard of review for sufficiency of the evidence is whether a reasonable trier of fact could find that the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Godinez, 922 F.2d 752, 755 (11th Cir.1991). “The question is whether reasonable minds could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, not whether reasonable minds *870 must have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Bacon, 598 F.3d 772, 775 (11th Cir.2010) (quotation and alteration omitted). Accordingly,

It is not necessary for the evidence to exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence or be wholly inconsistent with every conclusion except that of guilt---The jury is free to choose between or among the reasonable conclusions to be drawn from the evidence presented at trial, and the court must accept all reasonable inferences and credibility determinations made by the jury.

United States v. Garcia, 447 F.3d 1327, 1334 (11th Cir.2006) (quotations omitted). We are “bound by the jury’s credibility choices, and by its rejection of the inferences raised by the defendant.” United States v. Peters, 403 F.3d 1263, 1268 (11th Cir.2005).

In order to convict someone of engaging in a conspiracy, the government must prove: “1) the existence of an agreement to achieve an unlawful objective, 2) [the defendant’s] knowing and voluntary participation in the agreement, and 3) the commission of an act in furtherance of the agreement.” United States v. Pampas, 493 F.3d 1291, 1298 (11th Cir.2007); 18 U.S.C. § 371. “The knowledge requirement is satisfied when the [government shows a defendant’s awareness of the essential nature of the conspiracy.” United States v. Ndiaye, 434 F.3d 1270,1294 (11th Cir.2006). The agreement and participation in the conspiracy need not be explicit and may be inferred from circumstantial evidence. United States v. Prince, 883 F.2d 953, 957 (11th Cir.1989). “[T]he defendant’s assent can be inferred from acts that furthered the conspiracy’s purpose.” United States v. Miller, 693 F.2d 1051, 1053 (11th Cir.1982) (quotation omitted).

In order to convict someone of stealing or misapplying funds from an organization receiving federal assistance, the government must prove: 1) the defendant converted property owned by, or under the care, custody, or control of an organization receiving federal assistance; 2) the defendant was an agent of such an organization; 3) that property was valued at $5,000 or more; and 4) the organization received in excess of $10,000 in federal funds during the 1-year period in which the defendant converted the property. 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(A); Pampas, 493 F.3d at 1298. The statute defines an “agent” as one who is “authorized to act on behalf of another” and, “in the case of an organization or government, includes a servant or employee, and a partner, director, officer, manager, and representative.” 18 U.S.C. § 666(d)(1); United States v. Langston, 590 F.3d 1226, 1233-34 (11th Cir.2009).

“The elements of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343

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Related

United States v. Garrison
133 F.3d 831 (Eleventh Circuit, 1998)
United States v. Harness
180 F.3d 1232 (Eleventh Circuit, 1999)
United States v. Miller
188 F.3d 1312 (Eleventh Circuit, 1999)
United States v. John T. Renick
273 F.3d 1009 (Eleventh Circuit, 2001)
United States v. Michael Peters
403 F.3d 1263 (Eleventh Circuit, 2005)
United States v. Amadou Fall Ndiaye
434 F.3d 1270 (Eleventh Circuit, 2006)
United States v. Cesar Garcia
447 F.3d 1327 (Eleventh Circuit, 2006)
United States v. Tampas
493 F.3d 1291 (Eleventh Circuit, 2007)
United States v. Hoffman-Vaile
568 F.3d 1335 (Eleventh Circuit, 2009)
United States v. Langston
590 F.3d 1226 (Eleventh Circuit, 2009)
United States v. Bacon
598 F.3d 772 (Eleventh Circuit, 2010)
United States v. DuBose
598 F.3d 726 (Eleventh Circuit, 2010)
United States v. Ghertler
605 F.3d 1256 (Eleventh Circuit, 2010)
United States v. Brian Miller
693 F.2d 1051 (Eleventh Circuit, 1982)
United States v. Michael Prince, Edward A. Taylor
883 F.2d 953 (Eleventh Circuit, 1989)

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Bluebook (online)
473 F. App'x 867, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-eugene-telfair-ca11-2012.