United States v. Mancuso

302 F. Supp. 2d 23, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2080, 2004 WL 259240
District Court, E.D. New York·Decided February 10, 2004·No. 1:01-cv-00074·Published·Cited by 6 cases

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

HURLEY, District Judge.

By notice of motion dated August 27, 2003, defendant moved for an Order “dismissing] the indictment on the ground that it was filed in violation of the Speedy Trial Act.”

FACTS

On October 15, 1997, a criminal complaint was filed against defendant alleging that she “did knowingly and intentionally transport, transmit and transfer in interstate commerce securities with a value of $5,000 or more, to wit: corporate checks in the amount of approximately $590,600 knowing the same to be stolen, converted or taken by fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 2314.” Compl. and Aff. Supp. of Arrest, Attached as Ex. A, Notice of Motion.

Defendant was arraigned on October 16, 1997, at which time a thirty day waiver of speedy indictment was entered. Defendant was released on bail the following day. On or about November 13, 1997, defendant’s then attorney, Raymond Grunewald, Esq. (“Grunewald”) agreed, via a letter to the Assistant United States Attorney handling the case (the “AUSA”), to waive speedy indictment for an additional sixty days, i.e. until January 12, 1998. Because there is no evidence to indicate that the November 13, 1997 letter was approved by the Court as required by 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(8)(A), there is a persistent question whether this letter was effective in tolling the speedy trial clock. In any event, the case thereafter remained inactive; No further speedy indictment waivers were executed and the complaint remained open.

On January 19, 2001 — three years after the problematic letter waiver would have expired — defendant was indicted. The indictment charged defendant with a single count of violating 18 U.S.C. Section 2314— the same charge alleged in the complaint.

Defendant’s motion is relatively straightforward. She seeks a dismissal of the indictment, with prejudice, based on the government’s conceded noncompliance with the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3161 (the “Speedy Trial Act” or “Act”).

*26 APPLICABLE LAW

The Speedy Trial Act provides that “[a]ny information or indictment charging an individual with the commission of an offense shall be filed within thirty days from the date in which the individual was arrested or served with a summons in connection with such charges.” 18 U.S.C. § 3161(b). The Act further provides that the thirty day time period may be extended “if the judge grant[s] such continuation on the basis of his findings that the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and defendant in speedy trial.” 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(8)(A). In granting an extension under Section 3161(h)(8)(A), the Court must state the basis for its conclusion that a continuation is warranted. If the indictment is not filed within the proscribed time frame, the charges “shall be dismissed or otherwise dropped.” 18 U.S.C. § 3162(a)(1).

It is undisputed at least three years of untolled time separated defendant’s arrest and the return of the present indictment. It is also undisputed that, given the mandate contained in Section 3162(a)(1), the indictment must be dismissed. The sole issue is whether the dismissal should be with or without prejudice. In making that determination, the Court is required to consider “the seriousness of the offense; the facts and circumstances of the case which led to the dismissal; the impact of a reprosecution on the administration of [the Act] and on the administration of justice.” 18 U.S.C. Section 3162(a)(1). The Supreme Court has added to the statutorily provided factors another consideration, to wit, any prejudice to defendant occasioned by the delay. United States v. Taylor, 487 U.S. 326, 334, 108 S.Ct. 2413, 101 L.Ed.2d 297 (1988). Each of these factors will now be discussed in turn.

DISCUSSION

1. Seriousness of Offense

A violation of Section 2314 is a Class C felony (18 U.S.C. Section 3581(b)), punishable by up to ten years in prison.

The grand jury has charged that defendant, while employed as the office manager and bookkeeper of VIMRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VIMRx”), fraudulently prepared and signed seventy four VIMRx checks payable to C.X.I., Inc. (“CXI”) (a company in which she was a co-owner), which checks she transported across state lines and deposited into a CXI account. The amount of the checks totaled approximately $590,600.00. At the time, VIMRx owed CXI in the neighborhood of $2,600.00. It is alleged that the difference between the amount owed and the amount paid to CXI was utilized by defendant to benefit various employees of CXI. 1

The seriousness of the offense charged weighs against a dismissal of the indictment with prejudice.

*27 2. Facts and Circumstances Which Led to the Dismissal

a) Length of Delay

“[W]here the crime charged is serious, the sanction of dismissal with prejudice should ordinarily be imposed only for serious delay.” United States v. Simmons, 786 F.2d 479, 485 (2d Cir.1986).

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United States v. Mancuso, 302 F. Supp. 2d 23, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2080, 2004 WL 259240 (E.D.N.Y. 2004).

302 F. Supp. 2d 23 (United States v. Mancuso) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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