Document: 522 U.S. 52118 S.Ct. 469139 L.Ed.2d 352 Mario SALINAS, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 96-738. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Oct. 8, 1997. Decided Dec. 2, Syllabus * This federal prosecution arose from a scheme in which Texas county sheriff accepted money, and his deputy, petitioner Salinas, two watches truck, exchange for permitting women to make so-called "contact visits'' one Beltran, prisoner housed jail pursuant an agreement with Federal Government. Salinas was charged count violating Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. §1962(c), conspiracy violate RICO, §1962(d), counts bribery, §666(a)(1)(B). The jury convicted him on all but substantive RICO count, Fifth Circuit affirmed. Held: 1.Section 666(a)(1)(B) does not require Government prove bribe question had demonstrated effect upon funds. enactment's plain language is expansive unqualified, both as bribes forbidden entities covered, demonstrating by its reference "any'' business or transaction, §666(a)(1)(B), that it confined transactions affecting funds; application cases "organization, government, agency'' receives specified amount benefits, §666(b), reaches involved here; prohibition accepting "anything value,'' encompasses transfers personal property favorable treatment Beltran. Given statute's unambiguous meaning, aided legislative history, see, e.g., v. Albertini, 472 675, 680, 105 2897, 2902, 86 536, plain-statement rule set forth Gregory Ashcroft, 501 452, 460-461, 111 2395, 2400-2401, 115 410, McNally States, 483 350, 360, 107 2875, 2881-2882, 97 292, Seminole Tribe Florida Florida, 517 609, ----, n. 9, 116 1114, 1124, 134 252. Moreover, construction he seeks cannot stand when viewed light pre-§666 statutory framework-which limited bribery prohibitions "public official[s],'' defined "officer[s] employee[s] person[s] acting behalf any . branch thereof,'' interpreted some lower courts include state local officials-and expansion prescribed designed extend coverage offered officials employed agencies receiving Under this Court's construction, §666(a)(1)(B) constitutional applied case. Its did power beyond proper bounds, since preferential accorded Beltran threat integrity operation program under managed. See Westfall 274 256, 259, 47 629, 629-630, 71 L.Ed. 1036. Pp. ___-___. 2.To be conspirator need himself have committed agreed commit more predicate acts, such requisite offense §1962(c). Section 1962(d)-which forbids "any person conspire violate'' §1962(c)-is even comprehensive than general provision applicable crimes, §371, contains no requirement overt specific act conspiracy's object. Presuming Congress intended "to conspire'' phrase ordinary meaning criminal law, see Morissette 342 246, 263, 72 240, 249-250, 96 288, well-established principles contemporary understanding demonstrate that, although must intend further endeavor which, if completed, would satisfy elements offense, suffices adopt goal furthering facilitating endeavor, agree undertake acts necessary crime's completion. Salinas' contrary interpretation §1962(c) violates foregoing refuted Bannon 156 464, 469, 15 467, 469-470, 39 494. acceptance, moreover, required lenity, Shabani, 513 10, 17, 382, 386, 130 225. Even accept bribes, there ample evidence at least numerous knew about facilitate scheme, sufficient support conviction §1962(d ). 89 F.3d 1185, KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Francisco J. Enriquez, McAllen, TX, petitioner. Paul R.Q. Wolfson, Washington, DC, respondent. Justice KENNEDY 1 case before us presents questions: First, statute codified §666 has funds? Second, contained (RICO) apply only agrees forbids? Ruling against issues, we affirm judgment Appeals Circuit. 2 operated Brigido Marmolejo, Sheriff Hidalgo County, Texas, principal deputies. In 1984, Marshals Service County entered into agreements take custody prisoners. exchange, grant improving also pay per day each housed. Based estimated number prisoners maintained, payments were projected $915,785 year. record disclose precise amounts paid. It uncontested, however, periods relevant resulted well excess $10,000 §666. (We denied certiorari whether monies paid "benefits'' "Federal program'' assume purposes fit those definitions.) 3 Homero Beltran-Aguirre arrangement negotiated between county. He incarcerated intervals, first 10 months then 5 months. During periods, Marmolejo series remained alone wife or, other occasions, girlfriend. fixed rate six thousand dollars month contact visit, occurred twice week. Petitioner chief deputy responsible managing supervising When available, arranged visits occasion stood watch outside room where took place. return assistance received pair designer pickup truck. 4 indicted tried together, convictions are us. violation acquitted counts. A divided panel To resolve case, consider conspiracy. II contends way affected funds, instance diverting misappropriating them, provisions follows: 6 " (a) Whoever, circumstance described subsection (b) section exists- 7 (1) being agent organization, State, local, Indian tribal agency thereof- 8 ..... 9 (B) corruptly accepts accept, anything value person, intending influenced rewarded connection business, involving thing $5,000 more; 11 "shall fined title, imprisoned years, both. 12 referred receives, year period, benefits grant, contract, subsidy, loan, guarantee, insurance, form assistance. 13 14 (d) As used section- 16 (5) term "in one-year period' means continuous period commences earlier twelve commission ends later after offense. Such may time offense.'' 17 expansive, unqualified language, funds Subject five-thousand-dollar threshold transaction question, acceptance covered official who intends [the defined] government agency.'' affects word "any,'' prefaces clause, undercuts attempt impose narrowing construction. James, 478 597, 604-605, 5, 106 3116, 3120-3121, 92 (1986); Trainmen Baltimore & Ohio R. Co., 331 519, 529, 67 1387, 1392, 91 1646 (1947). Furthermore, broad definition "circumstances'' applies provides textual basis limiting reach prohibition. program. §666(b). alleged, proved, here. 19 Neither limit type offered. prohibits agreeing value.'' valuable consideration influence reward. includes, then, given secured himself. fails provide 20 attempts circumscribe text pointing history. "Courts applying laws generally follow language. "[O]nly most extraordinary showing intentions' history will justify departure language.'' 536 (1985) (citations omitted) (quoting Garcia 469 70, 75, 479, 482-483, 83 (1984)); Ardestani INS, 502 129, 135, 112 515, 519-520, 496 (1991) (courts deviate "rare exceptional circumstances' ''). 21 framework existence enacted expanded new statute. Before enacted, code single, §201. 201 terms department, thereof, including District Columbia, function, authority agency, branch.'' §201(a). Courts over employees could considered officials'' Compare Del Toro, F.2d 656, 661-662(CA2), cert. denied, 423 826, 41, 46 42 (1975), Mosley, 659 812, 814-816 (C.A.7 1981), Hinton, 683 195, 197-200 1982), aff'd. sub nom. Dixson 465 482, 104 1172, 79 458 (1984). Without awaiting resolution issue Dixson, made clear law kind Mosley Hinton. 22 chronology demonstrate, incongruous restrict manner suggests. facts reasoning Toro give particular instruction respect. Second held city employee official'' §201(a) though eventually cover 100% costs 80% salaries administered. F.2d, 662. Because yet formal request funding, reasoned, [t]here existing purpose.'' Ibid. enactment forecloses limitation. Acceptance suggestion affect falls within run redressed negative effects Circuit's narrow §201 Toro. We requires expenditure related housing facilities significant part themselves. And relationship close enough whatever might require. 23 argues addition our decisions 410 (1991), 292 (1987), statement congressional intent can construed having so arguing, makes too much McNally. cases, confronted susceptible plausible interpretations, altered balance powers. concluded absent indication Congress' change balance, course maintains balance. Gregory, supra, S.Ct., 2400-2401; McNally, 2881-2882. 24 "No penal strained distorted order exclude conduct clearly scope '' Raynor, 302 540, 552, 58 353, 359, 82 413 (1938). 2902. 25 "Statutes should avoid questions, interpretative canon license judiciary rewrite legislature. Heckler Mathews, 728, 741-742, 1396-1397, 646 Any conclusion, while purporting exercise judicial restraint, trench powers vested Art. I, §1, Constitution. Locke, 471 84, 95-96, 1785, 1792-1794, 85 64 (1985).'' 26 These rules followed respect federal-state observed analogous maxim 44, 252 (1996), [w]e press point disingenuous evasion question.'' Id., (internal quotation marks omitted). itself noted principle articulated unambiguous. U.S., 2404. without addressing every interpretive theory party. "plain anyone reading Act'' issue. Bass, 404 336, 349-350, 523-524, 30 488 (1971) (relying failure intention alter construe ambiguous firearm-possession firearms commerce), Lopez, 514 549, 561-562, 1624, 1630-1631, 131 626 (1995) (refusing Bass read similar limitation statute). 27 warrant terms. here, transaction. 28 serious doubt constitutionality managed Whatever said §666(a)(1)(B)'s bounds. 1036 (1927). 29 holding, do address applicability intangible visits, because fairly included questions granted certiorari. Yee Escondido, 503 533, 1522, 1531-1532, 118 153 (1992). Nor review Appeals' determination "involv[ed] more,'' offer cognizable challenge aspect decision. simply decide matter III directs second RICO. There says, unless identifies conflict among point. Decisions Tenth Circuits provision, defendant acts. Sanders, 929 1466, 1473 (C.A.10), 846, 143, 109 (1991); Ruggiero, 726 913, 921(CA2), Rabito 831, 118, 60 (1984); Winter, 663 1120, 1136(CA1), 460 1011, 103 1249, 75 479 (1983). Eight Appeals, view. Pryba, 900 748, 760(CA4), 498 924, 305, 258 (1990); Kragness, 830 842, 860 (C.A.8 1987); Neapolitan, 791 489, 494-500(CA7), 940, 422, 93 372 Joseph, 781 554 (C.A.6 1986); Adams, 759 1099, 1115-1116(CA3), 474 971, 88 321 (1985); Tille, 729 615, 619(CA9), 845, 156, Carter, 721 1514, 1529-1531 (C.A.11), Morris 819, 89, 36 31 turning RICO's note alleged indictment. provides: 32 "It shall unlawful associated enterprise engaged in, activities affect, interstate foreign commerce, participate, directly indirectly, enterprise's affairs through pattern racketeering activity collection debt.'' 33 predominant (c) are: (2) (3) activity. Sedima, S.P.R.L. Imrex 473 496, 3275, 3285, 87 346 (1985). "Pattern activity'' "racketeering activity,'' central discussion. §1961(5). "Racketeering turn, chargeable State punishable imprisonment year.'' §1961(1)(A). Government's conducting felonies prison. Tex. Penal Code Ann. §36.02(a)(1) (1994). count. conspiracy, challenges instructed His wrong. 34 statute, simple formulation, 35 (a), (b), section.'' §1962(d). us, unlike conspirators "act object conspiracy.'' §371. 37 interpreting adhere rule: uses well-settled terminology words presumed their definition. 288 (1952). §1962(d) conspire.'' presume use conventional sense, certain follow. 38 exist Socony-Vacuum Oil 310 150, 253-254, 811, 858-859, 84 1129 (1940). partners plan pursue same objective divide up work, other. Pinkerton 328 640, 646, 66 1180, 1183-1184, 90 1489 (1946) ("And long partnership crime continues, carrying forward''). If calls perpetrate others support, supporters guilty perpetrators. Holmes observed: [P]lainly third person.'' Holte, 236 140, 144, 271, 272, 59 504 (1915). liable incapable committing Rabinowich, 238 78, 86, 682, 684, 1211 tries opposition these principles, 494 (1895). defendants conspiring id., 468, proof act. 476. One objected indictment allege Bannon, 469. rejected argument erode common-law they share common purpose, co-conspirators. Bannon: "To proven member distinct connecting combination innovation established render prosecutions offence nugatory.'' broadened omitting act; not, time, work radical requiring 40 Our recitation comports understanding. passed 1970, Pub.L. 91-452, §901(a), Stat. 941, American Law Institute's Model permitted "agrees persons them engage constitutes crime.'' Institute, §5.03(1)(a) (1962). drafters emphasized, "so purpose crime, actor commit' Code, Tent. Draft p. 117 (1960). still formulation. §5.03(1)(a), U.L.A. (1974). 41 endeavor. ways short leading elementary punished ensues, evil, dangerous public, itself. Callanan 364 587, 594, 81 321, 325, 312 (1961). difference interplay subsections permit excuse underlying True, "enterprise'' it, instances conducted entity; turn somewhat difficult determine just begins, hand, crimes coincident factual circumstances. tenuous own become important Perhaps considerations Nevertheless, proposition sustained discussed. 43 conspired (c). showed scheme. 44 final matter, says lenity. invoked engraft illogical text. 225 45 Affirmed. syllabus been prepared Reporter convenience reader. Detroit Timber Lumber 200 337, 282, 287, 50 499.

Category: 0