United States v. Sanders
Opinions
DeMOSS, Circuit Judge:
INTRODUCTION
Defendant was convicted by a jury of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2, and for making a false statement to the Small Business Administration in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 645(a) and 2. He appeals claiming the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction, the district court erred in admitting certain evidence, and the district court erred in sentencing him. We affirm the jury verdict because the evidence is sufficient and the district court did not err in admitting any of the complained of evidence. However, because the district court erred in sentencing Sanders, we vacate the sentence and remand to the district court for re-sentencing.
BACKGROUND
The facts established at trial are as follows. Cecil Allen Sanders, Jr. (“Sand[514]*514ers”), and Ms wife wanted to open a dry cleaning business. In order to finance the business, which they called Number One Cleaners, Sanders and his wife applied for a business loan in the amount of $232,000 from Plano Bank & Trust on September 5, 1996.
The loan Sanders applied for was 75% guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Therefore, in order to obtain the loan, Sanders had to fill out SBA Form 413 as part of his application process. SBA Form 413 requires full and complete disclosure of current assets and liabilities.
In preparing his loan package, Sanders was referred to Centinal Financial Corporation by Plano Bank. Centinal is a company hired by Plano Bank to assist SBA loan applicants in preparing their loan applications for submission to Plano Bank. Centinal interviews the applicants and pre-qualifies certain loans for approval by the bank. Chris Jones, a Centinal employee, reviewed Sanders’s credit report, interviewed him, and helped him prepare SBA Form 413.
Sanders’s credit report showed 28 credit card accounts and a high level of revolving credit. During the interview, Sanders told Jones that much of the credit card debt reflected on the report had been paid. As a result of Sanders’s oral representations, Jones reported that Sanders’s credit card debt was much lower than as reflected on the credit report. Jones testified that Centinal relies on the information provided by the borrower in making its recommendations to Plano Bank, and stated that he informed Sanders that Centinal was going to rely on the information he provided. Jones testified that he told Sanders that the bank would rely on SBA Form 413 when making its loan decision.
At trial, the government introduced evidence that during his interview with Jones, Sanders did not disclose that he had a substantial amount of unsecured obligations outside the representations he made to Jones. Specifically, Sanders owed Household Credit over $4,000, American Express Optima $3,500, Crestar Bank $4,000, AT&T Master Card $1,800, the Grantham Family $20,000, and Norma Boss $5,000.
The government also introduced evidence that Sanders misrepresented other information that led Plano Bank to think he was in better financial condition than he actually was. On page 3 of SBA Form 413, Sanders represented that he paid only $16,500 on charge accounts for the year. He had actually paid significantly more. He had paid $16,000 to MBNA America and over $21,500 to Choice Visa. The information Sanders provided on Form 413 was used to calculate his cash flow. Sanders’s cash flow was listed as $4,100, while it should have shown a deficit of $62,318.
Ken Lawless, a commercial loan officer working at Plano Bank who approved the loan, testified that if the bank had been aware that Sanders had a negative cash flow, it would have denied the loan.
After the $232,000 loan amount was approved, Sanders’s purchase of the dry cleaners fell through because there were environmental problems at the location of the cleaners that was to be purchased. Sanders and his wife found a different dry cleaners to purchase for a lower price, which they also called Number One Cleaners. Sanders resubmitted his loan application but this time for a new loan of $77,500 from Plano Bank & Trust with an 80% SBA guarantee.
Prior to the funding of the second loan, on April 7, 1997, Sanders signed an affidavit stating that his individual and corporate financial position had not changed substantially since his application for the [515]*515first loan, and that his SBA Form 413 information was still accurate. Maria La-gusis, the bank employee who closed on the loan, testified that in signing the affidavit, Sanders was certifying that all the information in his SBA Form 413 was accurate and that she reviewed this paragraph with Sanders to make sure he understood what he was doing.
The new loan was disbursed in four installments. With each installment, Sanders completed an SBA Form 1050 in which he represented that there had been no substantial adverse change in his financial condition since he submitted his loan application.
In the meantime, Sanders’s credit card and unsecured personal debt was mounting. By April 10, 1997, his debt was over $143,000. His undisclosed debt was $89,517 and his disclosed debt was $53,610. Special Agent Don Smiddy, of the United States Postal Inspection Service, showed the jury checks written and signed by Sanders around the dates of' September 30, 1996, and April 10, 1997, payable to the credit card companies for debt Sanders did not disclose in his application or SBA Forms. This evidence was used to establish that Sanders was aware of this debt, but did not disclose it as an adverse change in his situation.
On October 8, 1997, Number One Cleaners filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas. Sanders had made three loan payments totaling $3,981, on the Plano Bank SBA guaranteed loan of $77,500. Four months later, on February 10, 1998, Sanders filed for personal bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Texas. In his personal bankruptcy, Sanders disclosed the credit card debt which he had not disclosed during the loan application process. The loan from Plano Bank was discharged in bankruptcy. After selling the assets of the cleaners, Plano Bank recovered $2,164.12, after deducting costs.
On February 13, 2002, a grand jury for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas returned a two count indictment charging Sanders with bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2, and for making a false statement to the Small Business Administration in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 645(a) and 2.
At Sanders’s jury trial the government presented evidence demonstrating that Sanders had withdrawn a total of $21,659 from the Number One Cleaners bank account approximately 4 months before it went into Chapter 7 bankruptcy and did not disclose these withdrawals to the bankruptcy court.
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DeMOSS, Circuit Judge:
INTRODUCTION
Defendant was convicted by a jury of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2, and for making a false statement to the Small Business Administration in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 645(a) and 2. He appeals claiming the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction, the district court erred in admitting certain evidence, and the district court erred in sentencing him. We affirm the jury verdict because the evidence is sufficient and the district court did not err in admitting any of the complained of evidence. However, because the district court erred in sentencing Sanders, we vacate the sentence and remand to the district court for re-sentencing.
BACKGROUND
The facts established at trial are as follows. Cecil Allen Sanders, Jr. (“Sand[514]*514ers”), and Ms wife wanted to open a dry cleaning business. In order to finance the business, which they called Number One Cleaners, Sanders and his wife applied for a business loan in the amount of $232,000 from Plano Bank & Trust on September 5, 1996.
The loan Sanders applied for was 75% guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Therefore, in order to obtain the loan, Sanders had to fill out SBA Form 413 as part of his application process. SBA Form 413 requires full and complete disclosure of current assets and liabilities.
In preparing his loan package, Sanders was referred to Centinal Financial Corporation by Plano Bank. Centinal is a company hired by Plano Bank to assist SBA loan applicants in preparing their loan applications for submission to Plano Bank. Centinal interviews the applicants and pre-qualifies certain loans for approval by the bank. Chris Jones, a Centinal employee, reviewed Sanders’s credit report, interviewed him, and helped him prepare SBA Form 413.
Sanders’s credit report showed 28 credit card accounts and a high level of revolving credit. During the interview, Sanders told Jones that much of the credit card debt reflected on the report had been paid. As a result of Sanders’s oral representations, Jones reported that Sanders’s credit card debt was much lower than as reflected on the credit report. Jones testified that Centinal relies on the information provided by the borrower in making its recommendations to Plano Bank, and stated that he informed Sanders that Centinal was going to rely on the information he provided. Jones testified that he told Sanders that the bank would rely on SBA Form 413 when making its loan decision.
At trial, the government introduced evidence that during his interview with Jones, Sanders did not disclose that he had a substantial amount of unsecured obligations outside the representations he made to Jones. Specifically, Sanders owed Household Credit over $4,000, American Express Optima $3,500, Crestar Bank $4,000, AT&T Master Card $1,800, the Grantham Family $20,000, and Norma Boss $5,000.
The government also introduced evidence that Sanders misrepresented other information that led Plano Bank to think he was in better financial condition than he actually was. On page 3 of SBA Form 413, Sanders represented that he paid only $16,500 on charge accounts for the year. He had actually paid significantly more. He had paid $16,000 to MBNA America and over $21,500 to Choice Visa. The information Sanders provided on Form 413 was used to calculate his cash flow. Sanders’s cash flow was listed as $4,100, while it should have shown a deficit of $62,318.
Ken Lawless, a commercial loan officer working at Plano Bank who approved the loan, testified that if the bank had been aware that Sanders had a negative cash flow, it would have denied the loan.
After the $232,000 loan amount was approved, Sanders’s purchase of the dry cleaners fell through because there were environmental problems at the location of the cleaners that was to be purchased. Sanders and his wife found a different dry cleaners to purchase for a lower price, which they also called Number One Cleaners. Sanders resubmitted his loan application but this time for a new loan of $77,500 from Plano Bank & Trust with an 80% SBA guarantee.
Prior to the funding of the second loan, on April 7, 1997, Sanders signed an affidavit stating that his individual and corporate financial position had not changed substantially since his application for the [515]*515first loan, and that his SBA Form 413 information was still accurate. Maria La-gusis, the bank employee who closed on the loan, testified that in signing the affidavit, Sanders was certifying that all the information in his SBA Form 413 was accurate and that she reviewed this paragraph with Sanders to make sure he understood what he was doing.
The new loan was disbursed in four installments. With each installment, Sanders completed an SBA Form 1050 in which he represented that there had been no substantial adverse change in his financial condition since he submitted his loan application.
In the meantime, Sanders’s credit card and unsecured personal debt was mounting. By April 10, 1997, his debt was over $143,000. His undisclosed debt was $89,517 and his disclosed debt was $53,610. Special Agent Don Smiddy, of the United States Postal Inspection Service, showed the jury checks written and signed by Sanders around the dates of' September 30, 1996, and April 10, 1997, payable to the credit card companies for debt Sanders did not disclose in his application or SBA Forms. This evidence was used to establish that Sanders was aware of this debt, but did not disclose it as an adverse change in his situation.
On October 8, 1997, Number One Cleaners filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas. Sanders had made three loan payments totaling $3,981, on the Plano Bank SBA guaranteed loan of $77,500. Four months later, on February 10, 1998, Sanders filed for personal bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Texas. In his personal bankruptcy, Sanders disclosed the credit card debt which he had not disclosed during the loan application process. The loan from Plano Bank was discharged in bankruptcy. After selling the assets of the cleaners, Plano Bank recovered $2,164.12, after deducting costs.
On February 13, 2002, a grand jury for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas returned a two count indictment charging Sanders with bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2, and for making a false statement to the Small Business Administration in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 645(a) and 2.
At Sanders’s jury trial the government presented evidence demonstrating that Sanders had withdrawn a total of $21,659 from the Number One Cleaners bank account approximately 4 months before it went into Chapter 7 bankruptcy and did not disclose these withdrawals to the bankruptcy court. The district court gave a limiting instruction to the jury informing them that they could only consider the evidence to determine if Sanders had the requisite state of mind or intent to defraud, or whether he committed the acts by accident or mistake.
Sanders’s defense at trial was that the documents he signed were vast and complicated. He testified that Jones and the other loan officers did not explain the documents to him. Additionally Sanders testified that he understood that the credit report would include all of his credit history. He also testified that he did not intentionally misrepresent anything to the bank. He stated that when he signed the affidavit, no one showed him the documents he had previously completed in order to determine if anything had changed.
On May 22, 2002, the jury found Sanders guilty as charged in both counts of the indictment. Sanders was sentenced to a term of 21 months imprisonment on each count of the indictment to be served concurrently and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $76,767.69, and a special assessment totaling $200. Sanders [516]*516was also ordered to serve concurrent terms of supervised release on each count: 5 years on count 1 of the indictment, and 1 year on count 2 of the indictment.
Sanders timely filed notice of appeal. On appeal he argues that the government did not prove that Plano Bank and Trust was FDIC insured and therefore the evidence is insufficient to support his bank fraud conviction. Sanders also argues that the district court erred in admitting some of the evidence that was presented at trial. Finally, Sanders claims the district court erred in sentencing him.
DISCUSSION
I. Whether the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to prove that Plano Bank and Trust was insured by the FDIC, thereby supporting Sanders’s conviction for bank fraud.
“In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we must determine whether a rational jury could have found that the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on each element of the offense, drawing all reasonable inferences from the evidence and viewing all credibility determinations in the light most favorable to the verdict.” United States v. Solis, 299 F.3d 420, 445 (5th Cir.2002).
In Count One of the indictment, Sanders was convicted of bank fraud pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1344. We have held that proof of FDIC insurance is not only an essential element of the bank fraud crime, but it is also necessary for the establishment of federal jurisdiction. United States v. Schultz, 17 F.3d 723, 725 (5th Cir.1994); United States v. Slovacek, 867 F.2d 842, 845 (5th Cir.1989); United States v. Trice, 823 F.2d 80, 86 (5th Cir.1987).
Sanders argues that the government offered insufficient evidence to establish that Plano Bank and Trust was FDIC insured. The government put on testimony from Ken Lawless, a former Plano Bank loan officer in charge of SBA loans, who was a loan officer during the time Sanders applied for a loan. Lawless testified that the bank was FDIC insured during the time in question. Sanders argues that this proof was insufficient because the government did not offer into evidence an insurance certificate, a cancelled check for the insurance premium, or any testimony as to Ken Lawless’s basis of knowledge that Plano Bank & Trust was insured by the FDIC. Sanders contends that he specifically moved for judgment of acquittal on the grounds that the government failed to prove that Plano Bank was insured by the FDIC. The government counters that Sanders did not object to the testimony nor did he cross-examine Lawless on the issue. The government also argues that although Sanders made an oral motion for judgment of acquittal, the motion was based on defense counsel’s erroneous belief that the government had offered no proof of FDIC insurance, not merely insufficient proof. When the district court informed defense counsel that there had indeed been proof on this issue, defense counsel withdrew the motion, saying it was based on an erroneous belief. Defense counsel did not reurge his motion at the close of the evidence. The government argues that in light of Mr. Lawless’s testimony, defense counsel’s failure to cross-examine or object, as well as the lack of contradictory testimony, there was sufficient evidence to establish that Plano Bank had the requisite insurance.
We have held that the testimony of a bank officer is sufficient to establish that a bank is FDIC insured, especially when the testimony is not challenged on cross-examination. United States v. Rangel, 728 F.2d [517]*517675, 676 (5th Cir.1984). Sanders argues that the instant case is distinguishable from Rangel because in Rangel, defense counsel conceded during argument that the financial institution was federally insured. Id. In the present case, however, after the initial objection, Sanders’s counsel withdrew his motion for acquittal. Further, we have held that a defense counsel’s “concession” is not necessary to finding that the testimony of a bank employee is sufficient to establish that a bank is FDIC insured. Slovacek, 867 F.2d at 845-46. Additionally, we have held that a showing of personal knowledge of FDIC insurance is not necessary if the testimony offered was unchallenged by opposing counsel. Trice, 823 F.2d at 87 n. 6. Accordingly, the government presented sufficient evidence to establish that Plano Bank and Trust was FDIC insured and therefore the jury verdict is affirmed.
II. Whether the district court abused its discretion in admitting any of the complained of evidence and whether any errors are reversible.
We review a district court’s evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. United States v. Guerrero, 169 F.3d 933, 943 (5th Cir.1999). If we find an abuse of discretion, we review the error under the harmless error doctrine. United States v. Townsend, 31 F.3d 262, 268 (5th Cir.1994).
In his brief Sanders argues that the district court erred in admitting three items of evidence: 1) extrinsic evidence showing that Sanders did not disclose on his bankruptcy petition that payments were made to insiders within 1 year of the bankruptcy filing; 2) Sanders’s testimony, which the prosecutor elicited on cross-examination, concerning his reneging on an agreement with a real estate agent and pocketing a refund check; and, 3) extrinsic evidence that Sanders filed a false worker’s compensation claim.
First, the government offered into evidence testimony and exhibits showing that Sanders and his wife did not disclose, on their corporate bankruptcy petition, payments and reimbursements withdrawn from their corporate account within one year of the filing of their corporate bankruptcy petition. An instruction that the evidence concerning the bankruptcy petition could be considered only for the limited purpose of determining whether Sanders had the state of mind or intent to commit the offense in the indictment, or whether he committed the acts for which he was on trial for by accident or mistake, was given to the jury.
Sanders argues the evidence had nothing to do with the allegations in the indictment and was offered solely to portray him as a liar. The government argues that this evidence was relevant to show Sanders’s intent and that the bank fraud was committed in the absence of mistake or accident which is permissible under Fed. R.Evid. 404(b).2
The Fifth Circuit employs the two-prong Beechum test to examine the admissibility of extrinsic evidence under Rule 404(b). United States v. Anderson, 933 F.2d 1261, 1268 (5th Cir.1991); United [518]*518States v. Beechum, 582 F.2d 898, 911 (5th Cir.1978). The court must first determine that the extrinsic evidence is relevant to an issue other than the defendant’s character, i.e., motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Anderson, 933 F.2d at 1268. Second “the evidence must possess probative value that is not substantially outweighed by its undue prejudice and must meet the other requirements of Rule 403.”3 Id. at 1269 (internal quotation omitted).
In this case, it has been established that the government offered the evidence to prove intent and refute Sanders’s claim of mistake or accident. These purposes are permissible under 404(b). Next, in order to find extrinsic evidence relevant to an issue other than character, the proponent must show that the evidence is of an offense that is similar to the charged offense. Id. The act of failing to disclose known information on the bankruptcy petition is similar to the act of failing to disclose known information on loan application forms and in light of the standard of review, which is abuse of discretion, the evidence is relevant under the first prong of the Beechum test.
As to the second prong of Beechum, the district court specifically stated at sidebar with the attorneys that the probative value of the evidence outweighed any prejudicial effect. Likewise, there are no other Rule 403 concerns. Additionally, the court gave a cautionary instruction to the jury. Under the Rule 403 standard, when the court issues a limiting instruction, it minimizes the danger of undue prejudice. United States v. LeBaron, 156 F.3d 621, 625-26 (5th Cir.1998). Accordingly, the court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence.
Second, testimonial evidence was introduced by the government when Sanders took the stand in his own defense. The prosecutor asked Sanders about reneging on an agreement with the real estate agent who sold Sanders’s home. The prosecutor suggested that Sanders reneged on an agreement with the agent after Sanders received a partial refund of the agent’s commission. Apparently Sanders accepted the refund but never bought the larger house from the agent as he allegedly agreed to do.
Sanders argues that this evidence was irrelevant and only establishes that there was a contract dispute between the real estate agent and Sanders. The government argues that Sanders took the stand and put his credibility at issue and the real estate transaction attacks Sanders’s credibility, which is permissible under Rule 608.4
When a defendant testifies, he puts his character for truthfulness in issue. United States v. Waldrip, 981 F.2d 799, 803 (5th Cir.1993). Under Rule 608(b), the district court may determine if evidence is probative of truthfulness and under Rule 403 may exclude probative evidence if the [519]*519prejudicial effect substantially outweighs the probative value. Id. Although Sanders argues that the incident is irrelevant because it was a mere contract dispute, the government alleges that Sanders committed fraud and cheated the real estate agent into giving him a refund. Fraud has been held to be probative of a witness’s character for truthfulness or untruthfulness. See, e.g., United States v. Mikolajczyk, 137 F.3d 237, 244 (5th Cir.1998). The evidence may have been prejudicial, but the district court found the probative value was not substantially outweighed by unfair prejudice. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the government to cross-examine Sanders regarding the transaction.
Third, the prosecutor also questioned Sanders about a worker’s compensation claim Sanders submitted while he was working for the United States Postal Service. The government showed that the claim was fraudulent because Sanders worked for Number One Cleaners while he maintained a worker’s compensation claim stating he was unable to work. Sanders testified on cross-examination that although he worked at the cleaners, he did not haul any bags of dry-cleaning during the period of time he submitted his claim to the Postal Service stating he could not do physical labor. To contradict this testimony, the prosecutor introduced a videotape of Sanders hauling dry cleaning during the dates he informed the Postal Service that he was not working.
Sanders argues that evidence, specifically the videotape of Sanders hauling dry-cleaning, which the prosecutor offered to show that he committed worker’s compensation fraud was inadmissible. The government asserts that it was admissible under several of the Federal Rules of Evidence.5
Again, we analyze the admission of this evidence under 404(b) utilizing the two-prong Beecfmm test for admitting evidence of prior bad acts. In relation to the first prong of the test, whether the evidence was relevant to any other issue besides Sanders’s character, the government offered the videotape to prove, among other things, that the loan fraud like the false worker’s compensation claim was not committed by accident or mistake. This is permissible under 404(b). Also, evidence of Sanders’s failure to disclose something that was known, his working while claiming worker’s compensation, is related to his failure to disclose his known debt on his bank loan application, tending to prove he acted with intent and not by mistake or accident. As to the second prong of the test, again the court gave a limiting instruction and the prejudicial impact of this evidence was limited by Sanders, himself, raising the issue of the worker’s compensation claim by arguing that the government was “out to get him” for submitting the claim.
Additionally, for any of the evidentiary rulings to be reversible error, the admission of the evidence in question must have substantially prejudiced Sanders’s rights. See Fed.R.Evid. 103(a); Fed. R.Crim.P. 52(a); United States v. Lopez, 979 F.2d 1024, 1034 (5th Cir.1992). Sanders has not alleged in his brief that the complained of errors have affected a substantial right.
Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the evidence of bankruptcy fraud, in allowing the government to question Sanders about the real-estate transaction, or in admitting evi[520]*520dence concerning the worker’s compensation claim. Additionally, if there were any errors, they were harmless and therefore the district court’s evidentiary rulings are affirmed.
III. Whether the district court clearly erred in sentencing Sanders.
“The calculation of the amount of loss is a factual finding, reviewed for clear error.” United States v. Tedder, 81 F.3d 549, 550 (5th Cir.1996) (citation omitted). “In order to satisfy this clear error test all that is necessary is that the finding be plausible in light of the record as a whole.” United States v. Edwards, 303 F.3d 606, 645 (5th Cir.2002). However, the interpretation and application of the Guidelines is reviewed de novo. United States v. Hill, 42 F.3d 914, 916 (5th Cir.1995).
A. Loss Calculation at Sanders’s Sentencing Hearing.
The 1995 Sentencing Guidelines were used to calculate Sanders’s sentence because there would have been an ex post facto problem if the 2002 guidelines, which were in effect on the date that Sanders was sentenced, were used. See U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11. The pre-sentencing report (“PSR”) used U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1 to calculate the sentence for bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1344 and making a false statement to the Small Business Association under 15 U.S.C. § 645(a). The PSR recommended that the two offenses be grouped together and counted as one offense for sentencing purposes because the counts involved the same harm. See U.S.S.G. § 3D1.2(d). The base offense level for “Fraud and Deceit” under 2F1.1 is 6. The PSR also recommended an increase of 2 offense levels because the offense involved more than minimal planning or a scheme to defraud more than one victim. See U.S.S.G. § 2Fl.l(b)(2). This put the offense level at 8.
Section 2F1.1 provides that the offense level should be increased incrementally for losses that exceed $2,000. The original PSR, using a loss amount of $77,500, the amount of the loan Sanders ultimately received, originally recommended increasing the offense level by 6. The government objected to the PSR’s use of $77,500 as the loss amount to calculate the offense level, arguing that the guidelines and case law required using $232,000 as the amount to calculate the offense level because that was the amount of loss Sanders intended to cause. Without any hearing, the PSR was revised based on the government’s objection; and, as presented to the judge, it recommended adding 8 levels to the offense, based on an intended loss amount of $232,000, increasing the total offense level to 16. The PSR stated, the “actual loss in this case was $76,767.69; however, the intended loss was $232,000; It appears that Sanders intended to obtain the loan for, $232,000 but due to circumstances beyond his control, he did not.” Consequently, the revised PSR indicated the guideline range for imprisonment for Sanders’s offense level was 21-27 months.
Sanders filed objections to the revised PSR, claiming among other things that the original PSR was correct in using the amount of $77,500 to calculate the offense level and corresponding sentencing range. Sanders argued that sentencing based on the $232,000 amount was improper because he intended to pay back the loan but, in fact never even received a loan for $232,000 and additionally that using the greater amount ignores the actual amount of the loss that remained after the payments were made and the collateral was sold. Sanders also argued that according to the Sentencing Guidelines the greater [521]*521amount should not be used because it overstates the seriousness of his conduct.
At the Sentencing hearing, Sanders again argued that the offense level should not be based on the $232,000 proposed loan amount but rather on the $77,500 actual loan amount minus any payments and cash received from the sale of the collateral. The government argued for sentencing based on the loan amount of $232,000 which they argued was the loss Sanders intended to cause. The court did not state specifically why it found the loss amount to be $232,000 but it did adopt the findings of fact in the PSR; although, the PSR made no findings as to Sanders’s intent other than the general statement that he intended to cause a loss of $232,000. The court then sentenced Sanders to 21 months imprisonment, the minimum sentence under the guideline range for his offense level of 16.
B. Analysis of Indictment
In determining the correct amount of loss in this case, we must start with the counts of the Indictment which charge Sanders with the substantive offenses of bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1344 and making a false statement to the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under 15 U.S.C. § 645. The Indictment does not charge a conspiracy or an attempt under either count, and there is no reference to 18 U.S.C. § 371 in the Indictment.
Paragraph 5 of the introduction section of Count 1 of the Indictment states as follows:
5. The “Number One Cleaners Loan,” as that term is used in this Indictment, refers to a loan of $77,500, made on or about April 10, 1997, to defendant CECIL ALLEN SANDERS, JR. (“SANDERS”) and his spouse by Plano Bank & Trust, for which loan the SBA guaranteed repayment to Plano Bank & Trust of up to 80% of the loan amount.
This defined term is first used in paragraph 8 of the Indictment which expressly charges that Sanders caused false information to be submitted to Plano Bank & Trust “in order to obtain the Number One Cleaners Loan.” And similarly in paragraph 9 of the Indictment it charged that Sanders caused additional false information to be furnished to Plano Bank & Trust “in order to obtain the Number One Cleaners Loan.” Furthermore, paragraphs 14 and 15 of the Indictment charge that “on or about April 10, 1997, in order to obtain $54,680.00 of the proceeds of the Number One Cleaners Loan, SANDERS caused an SBA Form 1050, Settlement Statement to be submitted to Plano Bank & Trust;” and on that same day “in order to obtain the proceeds of the Number [One] Cleaners Loan, SANDERS caused an Affidavit to be submitted to Plano Bank & Trust.” Finally, in paragraph 2 of Count 2, the Indictment charges that Sanders made false statements as “described in paragraph 8(a-b) and 9-12 of Count 1 of [the] Indictment to the SBA for the purposes of influencing the action of the SBA in guaranteeing the Number [One] Cleaners Loan, and for the purpose of obtaining money under the Small Business Act.”
There is no mention whatever in the Indictment of a proposed loan of $232,000 or of any attempt on Sanders’s part to fraudulently “obtain” the proceeds of such proposed loan or of any actions which Plano Bank & Trust took in connection with any such proposed loan. It is apparent therefore that the offense of conviction under this Indictment related only to the actions of Defendant, Sanders, in connection with the “loan of $77,500.00 made on or about April 10, 1997 to Defendant Cecil Allen Sanders, Jr.” Likewise the court’s instruction to the jury did not mention in [522]*522any way the relevance or significance of any proposed loan transaction involving $232,000.00.
C. Loss Calculation in Fraudulent Loan Application Cases.
The 1995 Guidelines state the following, concerning loss calculation in a fraudulent loan case:
[T]he loss is the actual loss to the victim (or if the loss has not yet come about, the expected loss). For example, if a defendant fraudulently obtains a loan by misrepresenting the value of his assets, the loss is the amount of the loan not repaid at the time the offense is discovered, reduced by the amount the lending institution has recovered (or can expect to recover) from any assets pledged to secure the loan. However, where the intended loss is greater than the actual loss, the intended loss is to be used. In some cases, the loss determined above may significantly understate or overstate the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct. For example, where the defendant substantially understated his debts to obtain a loan, which he nevertheless repaid, the loss determined above (zero loss) will tend not to reflect adequately the risk of loss created by the defendant’s conduct. Conversely, a defendant may understate his debts to a limited degree to obtain a loan (e.g., to expand a grain export business), which he genuinely expected to repay and for which he would have qualified at a higher interest rate had he made truthful disclosure, but he is unable to repay the loan because of some unforeseen event (e.g., an embargo imposed on grain exports) which would have caused a default in any event. In such a case, the loss determined above may overstate the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct. Where the loss determined above significantly understates or overstates the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct, and upward or downward departure may be warranted.
U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1, comment. (n.7(b)).
We note that the term “intended loss” is not expressly defined anywhere in the Guidelines. The term is used earlier in the opening paragraph of Note 7 in a sentence which reads as follows:
Consistent with the provisions of § 2X1.1 (Attempt, Solicitation or Conspiracy), if an intended loss that the defendant was attempting to inflict can be determined, this figure will be used if it is greater than the actual loss.
U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1, comment, (n.7).
The phraseology of this sentence would seem to indicate that an “intended loss” is one: 1) resulting from convictions for an “Attempt, Conspiracy or Solicitation” to commit some other substantive offense which the Defendant was attempting to commit; 2) which is capable of being determined; and, 3) is greater than “actual loss”.
D. Analysis of Loss Calculations in this case.
The transcript of the sentencing hearing reflects that after hearing argument of counsel, the district court made the following rulings:
THE COURT: The court’s understanding of the law in the 5th Circuit is that it’s the intended loss and not the actual loss in circumstances such as this that governs. And based on the evidence that the Court heard at the trial, the — and what’s contained in the presen-tence report, the Court is persuaded that the Defendant intended to obtain a loan of $232,000, and that that was the intended loss.
[523]*523Also, recalling the evidence that I heard at the trial of this case, the Defendant’s conduct with regard to the handling of the proceeds of the loan and his conduct with respect to the few payments that he made and the filing of bankruptcy, that the Court can find by a preponderance of the evidence, as required by the Quay case, that the Defendant did not intend to repay the loan.
And the Court finds also from the evidence that the — a reasonable effort was made to realize the maximum out of the collateral by the bank.
I will say that the, as I recall, the program of making SBA loans by the bank left a little to be desired from the standpoint of monitoring the loans.
So I will overrule your objection, Counsel, and now hear anything that you and Mr. Sanders have to say in mitigation of punishment.
There are no other findings of fact by the trial court in this record relating to its determination of the amount of loss.
The revised PSR, which the trial court made reference to in its ruling, contains the following provisions:
16. Specific Offense Characteristics: U.S.S.G. § 2F 1.1 (b)(1)(I) calls for an 8-level increase if the loss exceeded $200,000. The actual loss in this case was $76,767.69; however, the intended loss was $232,000; It appears that Sanders intended to obtain the loan for $232,000, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he did not. According to Application Note 7 to U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1, if an intended loss that the defendant was attempting to inflict can be determined, this figure will be used if it is greater than the actual loss. Therefore, the intended loss, $232,000, will be used to calculate the guideline range, and the offense level is increased by 8.
Likewise the addendum to the PSR contains the following provisions:
DEFENDANT’S OBJECTION NO. S: The defendant maintains a verbal objection to the revisions of the presentence report based on the Government’s objections. In the original report, the guideline calculations were based on a loss amount of $77,500, the amount the defendant actually loaned. The Government argued, and the probation officer now agrees, that the intended loss should be used to determine the guideline range, the intended loss was the loan amount the defendant originally applied for, or $232,000. The defendant objects to this change.
PROBATION OFFICER’S RESPONSE: As stated in the Government’s objection, the guidelines and case law support the use of the intended loss on which to base the guideline calculations. The probation officer was under the impression that it was the defendant’s choice to terminate the sales contract with the seller of the first business that the defendant intended to purchase. According to the Government, the seller of that business would not sign a subordination agreement required by the bank; therefore Sanders was forced to terminate the sales contract. It appears that Sanders intended to obtain the loan for $232,000, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he did not. According to Application Note 7 to U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1, if an intended loss that the defendant was attempting to inflict can be determined, this figure will be used if it is greater than the actual loss. Therefore, the intended loss, $232,000, will be used to calculate the guideline range.
From these provisions in the PSR and Addendum thereto, it is apparent that the probation department determined the [524]*524“actual loss” in this case was $76,767.69.6 Likewise we note in its original report “the guideline calculations were based on a loss amount of $77,500, the amount the defendant was actually loaned.” When the Government objected to the use of $77,500 as the loss amount in the original report, the probation officer amended its PSR to use the $232,000 figure suggested by the Government. In making this change, the probation officer made no additional findings of fact, but relied exclusively on the Government’s interpretation that “if an intended loss that the defendant was attempting to inflict can be determined, this figure will be used if it is greater than the actual loss.” We think the Government erred in proposing this rule to the probation office, the probation office erred in adopting this rule in its report, and the district court erred in utilizing this rule for the following reasons:
A. As we pointed out earlier in this opinion, the defendant was not charged in the Indictment with any “attempt” to defraud Plano Bank & Trust and the substantive offense charged in the Indictment was the specific loan transaction in the amount of $77,500 which closed on April 10,1997.
B. The term “intended loss” as it appears in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Application Note 7(b) of U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1 (1995) is an obvious cross reference to the term “intended loss” as it appears in the opening paragraph of Application Note 7 which states:
“Consistent with the provisions of 2X1.1 (Attempt, Solicitation or Conspiracy) if an intended loss that the defendant was attempting to inflict can be determined, this figure will be used if it is greater than the actual loss.”
C. Absent an indictment count which charges an “attempt” to defraud, the term “intended loss” has no applicability to the determination of “loss” in this case.
D. We think the Government, the probation officer and the trial court erred in considering and finding the amount of a loan which a defendant received or intended to receive as a factor in determining “intended loss.” See United States v. Quaye, 57 F.3d 447, 448 (5th Cir.1995) (stating that a finding as to the amount the defendant received or intended to receive was not sufficient to prove the amount of the intended loss).
We think the probation officer got it right the first time in using “actual loss” as the loss amount for purposes of increasing the offense level under § 2F1.1 (1995). The first sentence of Application Note 7(b) expressly states: “In fraudulent loan application cases and contract procurement cases, the loss is the actual loss to the victim (or if the loss has not yet come about, the expected loss).” U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1, comment. (n.7(b)). The $77,500 loan on April 10, 1997, was fully funded and the circumstances which precipitated the need to determine “actual loss” had all occurred. There was therefore no need to try to estimate “expected loss” within the meaning of this first sentence.
In effect, what the Government persuaded the trial court to do was to pretend that [525]*525there was a count in the Indictment which charged Sanders with an attempt to defraud Plano Bank & Trust of $232,000. Even if that had been the case, however, we are not persuaded that the Government would have met its burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence, that Sanders did not intend to repay any portion of the proposed $232,000 loan.
E. Parties’ Contentions of an Intent to Repay
Sanders contends that there is no evidence that he intended to not repay the loan. He argues that the district court failed to consider the following facts which support his argument that he purchased Number One Cleaners with every intention of operating it. First, he made three payments on the loan which he claims shows his intention to repay the loan. Second, he actually operated the cleaners, including putting time and money into fixing some obsolete equipment. Third, both the proposed loan amount of $232,000, and the actual loan of $77,500 were secured by collateral, and he had no involvement in the appraisals of the collateral for the original loan or the modified loan.
Sanders asserts that because he intended to repay his loan, the district court should not have used the intended loss in calculating the sentence, but should have used the actual loss. Sanders maintains that the actual loss was $71,354.88: $77,500 minus the three payments made on the loan, $3,981.00, and minus the $2,164.12 the bank realized on the sale after liquidating the collateral on the loan. The actual loss amount of $71,354.88 would have resulted in an offense level of 14, and his imprisonment sentence would have fallen within the 15-21 month range instead of the 21-27 month range. See § 2F1.1 and § 5A. The 15-21 month range is consistent with the sentencing range and offense level originally recommended in the PSR.
All the evidence that the government argues as supporting the district court’s finding of no intent to repay, does not make the finding plausible but actually supports Sanders’s claim that he intended to repay the loan or at the very least he never intended to not repay $232,000, an amount he never received.7
First, the government argues Sanders’s failure to disclose the extent of his debt when applying for the loan is proof that he intended to not repay the loan. Sanders’s failure to disclose known debt is the conduct for which he was convicted of bank fraud, but, this does not in-and-of-itself make plausible the assertion that he intended to not repay either all or part of the $232,000.
[526]*526Second, the government argues that Sanders’s financial situation worsened from the time when he originally applied for the proposed $232,000 loan to the time when he received the $77,500 loan and this meant his ability to repay the loan lessened and therefore he intended to not repay the loan. Using the government’s own logic that ability to repay is relevant to intent, if this evidence indicates anything it is that Sanders’s ability to repay was greater when he applied for the $232,000 and therefore he was less likely to have the intent to not repay the loan at that time.
Third, the government argues that the timing of the bankruptcy filing, approximately four months after the final disbursement of the $77,500 loan, indicates Sanders never intended to repay the $232,000. The apparent close timing of Sanders’s filing for bankruptcy and the final disbursement of the $77,500 loan does not prove, or even tend to prove, that he intended not to repay the loan of $232,000 which was never funded and which he never received.
Fourth, the government argues that the collateral that was to be used to secure the $232,000 loan was inadequate and that this indicates Sanders had the intent to not repay the $232,000. Our case law indicates that if the defendant has no ownership interest in or control over the collateral used to secure the loan, then the loss calculation amount does not need to consider the value of the collateral. United States v. Morrow, 177 F.3d 272, 300 (5th Cir.1999); Tedder, 81 F.3d at 551; Hill, 42 F.3d at 919. In the present case, unlike the cited cases, Sanders has always maintained, and the government conceded in its appellate brief that, he had nothing to do with the valuation of any collateral. Further, there is no evidence Sanders attempted to deceive the bank concerning the collateral. Without more evidence concerning Sanders’s role in securing the loan with the collateral, the ultimate inadequacy of the collateral does not prove Sanders had the intent to not repay the $232,000, an amount he never received.
Fifth, the government argues that because Sanders made only three loan payments on the $77,500 loan, this is evidence of his intent to not repay the $232,000 loan. The government’s argument concerning this evidence makes no sense.
Sixth, the government’s final argument is that Sanders withdrew over $20,000 from the corporate account prior to the bankruptcy and did not declare this on the bankruptcy petition and this is evidence of his intent to not repay the $232,000 loan. The record is unclear as to what the withdrawn funds were used for; Sanders maintains that he never pocketed any of the loan money but rather used it in trying to make the dry cleaners work. With nothing more than the mere withdrawal, it is not plausible that this evidence along with the government’s other evidence establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that Sanders intended to not repay $232,000, an amount he never received; it could plausibly be evidence of intent concerning the $77,500 loan, but Sanders was not sentenced based on that loan amount.
Finally, while several cases in this Circuit have sentenced the defendant based on the intended loss when the actual loss was less, those cases all include facts not present in this case. Morrow, 177 F.3d at 300; Tedder, 81 F.3d at 551; Hill, 42 F.3d at 919. In Morrow, Tedder, and Hill, there were facts in the record that indicated the defendants’ intent not to repay the greater amount regardless of the fortunate circumstances of the actual loss being less. Also, unlike the defendants in the other cases, Sanders never received all or any part of the $232,000, the amount the gov[527]*527ernment argues is the intended loss here. He never even attempted to receive this amount after the original property he wanted to purchase was unavailable; but rather, he found a new property and received a new loan for $77,500. In fact, we are unaware of any case in this Circuit with facts similar to this case in which the defendant was sentenced based on a proposed loan of a greater amount which preceded an actual loan of a lesser amount. Although it may be theoretically possible to intend a loss that is greater than the potential actual loss, our case law requires the government prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant had the subjective intent to cause the loss that is used to calculate his offense level. Tedder, 81 F.3d at 551; Henderson, 19 F.3d at 928. In other words, in the absence of facts indicating an intent not to repay the loan, the actual loss must be used to calculate the defendant’s offense level. U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1, comment. (n.7(b)); see also Henderson, 19 F.3d at 928. Unless there is evidence concerning Sanders’s intent that we are not aware of, both the Sentencing Guidelines and our case law require that the actual loss Sanders caused be determined and that he be sentenced accordingly.
We have concluded that one of the clear errors which the prosecution made and the probation officer adopted and thereby lead the district court into error, was the assumption that the $77,500 loan transaction was simply part and parcel of the earlier proposed loan of $232,000. From our review of the record, however, we are satisfied that these two transactions were separate and distinct. The loan commitment for the $232,000 clearly contemplates that such loan would be “secured by a first lien on all accounts receivable, supplies, inventory, work in progress, furniture and equipment, vehicle and leasehold improvements located at 8014 Spring Valley, 1505 Commerce, and 14651 Dallas Parkway, Dallas.” This loan was to enable the defendant’s corporate entity, “Number One Cleaners Inc.,” to purchase the assets and property on which the first lien was to be given to the bank. During the process of preparing for closing of this acquisition and loan, it was discovered that certain environmental problems existed at one of the plant locations and the landlord refused to sign a subordination agreement. As a result the contract which Sanders had to purchase these properties was “declared null and void.” Obviously, if the contract to purchase was “null and void,” the loan commitment for the $232,000 loan was similarly no longer enforceable and the Bank did not fund any portion of the $232,000 for the purposes stated in the loan agreement. With the help of a broker, Sanders located another property which Sanders could use to get into the dry cleaning and laundry business. In this second transaction the assets and properties, which defendant would acquire and could then give a first mortgage to the bank upon, were entirely separate and different from those contemplated in the $232,000 proposed transaction. The bank agreed to lend the defendant $77,500 to effectuate this new acquisition and the previous loan commitment to lend $232,000 was “modified” to limit the loan amount to $77,500.
In our view once the “loan package” was modified to limit the loan amount to $77,500, there was no legal basis upon which the Bank would be at risk to loan any amount of money more than $77,500; and if the Defendant were ever determined to have any intention not to repay the Bank, such intentions would only exist as to the sum of $77,500. This new loan was closed and fully funded in four loan disbursements totaling $77,500, the first of which was made on April 10, 1997, in the amount of $58,000.
[528]*528We realize that clear error is a deferential standard of review; however, it is more than a rubber stamp. Therefore, we find that the district court clearly erred in finding that the government proved by a preponderance of the evidence that Sanders intended to not repay the $232,000 loan. Additionally, because the record indicates that the district court considered that Sanders had no criminal history and had served in the military and therefore sentenced Sanders to the minimum sentence within the guideline range for a level 16 offense, the error was not harmless. See United States v. Ahmed, 324 F.3d 368, 374 (5th Cir.2003) (citations omitted).
Accordingly, we vacate Sanders’s sentence and remand to the district court for re-sentencing. When re-sentencing Sanders, the district should use actual loss and not intended loss to determine Sanders’s offense level and sentencing range.
CONCLUSION
Having carefully reviewed the record of this case, the parties’ respective briefing and arguments, for the reasons set forth above, we affirm the jury verdict and the evidentiary decisions of the district court. However, we vacate Sanders’s sentence and remand the case for re-sentencing consistent with our instructions herein.
AFFIRMED IN PART, VACATED IN PART, REMANDED IN PART.
343 F.3d 511 (United States v. Sanders) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.