United States v. Creasia
United States v. Creasia
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Creasia appeals from his jury conviction on two counts of filing a false federal income tax return in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1). The district court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.
Creasia first argues that the district court erred by denying his motion for judgment of acquittal. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, we conclude that the evidence was sufficient for a rational trier of fact to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Crea-sia willfully filed tax returns that he did not “believe to be true and correct as to every material matter.” 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1); see United States v. Hanson, 2 F.3d 942, 945 (9th Cir. 1993) (stating standard of review for sufficiency of evidence).
The jury heard testimony that Creasia was a successful small business owner who kept careful records and reviewed his tax returns (including pointing out an error that his tax preparer had made on a previous return). The jury could reasonably infer that Creasia had some knowledge of the documents that he signed in furtherance of his stated intent to “reduc[e] ... tax liability in all aspects of [his] life.” The evidence was adequate to show that Creasia acted willfully: (1) Creasia signed documents creating a joint venture where he was a 25% member and only claimed
Creasia next argues that the district court erred by denying his motion to dismiss for violation of due process rights. We review de novo the denial of a motion to dismiss an indictment on due process grounds. United States v. Latu, 479 F.3d 1153, 1155 (9th Cir.), cert. denied,-U.S. -, 128 S.Ct. 164, 169 L.Ed.2d 112 (2007). Creasia alleges that the government’s charging him with willfully filing fraudulent tax returns contradicts the position it took in prosecuting the Anderson Ark promoters for conspiracy to defraud. The government indicted Anderson Ark promoters on counts of (1) conspiracy to defraud the United States and to aid and assist in the preparation and presentation of fraudulent income tax returns, and (2) conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. To convict the Ark Anderson promoters on these conspiracy counts, the government was required to prove agreement and intent, but did not have to prove that anyone was actually defrauded or misled. See, e.g., United States v. Montgomery, 384 F.3d 1050, 1062 (9th Cir. 2004) (stating elements to prove conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371). Indeed, in pursuing the charges against the promoters, the government never alleged that Creasia was unaware that the schemes were fraudulent. The theories pursued by the government in the separate trials are not inconsistent, so Creasia was not deprived of due process.
Creasia’s contention that the district court impermissibly shifted the burden to Creasia to prove his innocence fails because it was his burden to establish that the indictment against him should be dismissed for lack of due process. See Fed. R.Crim.P. 47(b) (“A motion must state the grounds on which it is based.... ”).
Creasia next argues that the district court erred by directing the court reporter to read back only a portion of Creasia’s testimony. We conclude that the decision to reread witness testimony during jury deliberations was not an abuse of discretion. See United States v. Richard, 504 F.3d 1109, 1113 (9th Cir. 2007) (stating standard of review). After learning that it could not obtain a written transcript of Creasia’s testimony, the jury, on its own initiative, specifically requested a read-back of Creasia’s testimony relating to the $675,000 loan. Unlike Richard, the judge did not restrict the read-back to only a partial read-back, and he did not handpick which portions of the testimony concerning the loan that the jury would hear. See id. at 1113-15. Instead, the read-back portion of the testimony included both direct and cross-examination. Additionally, as recommended in Richard, the judge gave a cautionary instruction to the jury not to give undue emphasis to the read-back, and to consider all testimony and evidence presented in the case. See id. at 1115.
Finally, Creasia argues that the district court erred by giving the jury an Allen
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9 th Cir. R. 36-3.
. Allen v. United States, 164 U.S. 492, 17 S.Ct. 154, 41 L.Ed. 528 (1896).
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