Opinion ID: 6624
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Falsification of Corporate Records

Text: 23 Townsend contends that the district court abused its discretion in overly restricting the cross-examination of Mr. Crockett and Mr. Maxwell concerning their conduct in allegedly falsifying Petrolife's corporate records. Townsend claims that Mr. Crockett's deposition indicated that the records were falsified in anticipation of bankruptcy and the IRS investigation. Appellant sought to introduce this evidence in hopes of impeaching their testimony. Rule 608(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence provides that a witness may be questioned about specific instances of conduct, in the discretion of the trial court, to attack the witness's reputation for truthfulness. Rule 403 requires the trial court to balance the dangers of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the jury, or waste of time against the probative value of the evidence. 24 The district court found that Mr. Crockett's deposition did not support Appellant's assertion that the corporate minutes were falsified. The district court disputed Appellant's contention of falsification finding a lack of evidence to support this line of questioning. 6 Furthermore, the district court held that admitting the evidence would only serve to mislead and confuse the jury, and prolong the trial. This Court will reverse a decision of the trial court in excluding or admitting evidence only upon a showing that the trial court abused its discretion in weighing the probative value of the evidence against its prejudicial effect. United States v. York, 888 F.2d 1050, 1056 (5th Cir.1989). Because Appellant cannot show an abuse of discretion we affirm the district court's decision to exclude this evidence. 25 Appellant also contends that the evidence of falsification demonstrates Mr. Crockett's and Mr. Maxwell's propensity, motive, and opportunity to falsify the Form 637. The motives for falsification, Townsend asserts, were for personal and corporate gain and self-vindication. He claims that these motives were the same as those that allegedly led Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Crockett to apply for the Form 637 and to testify against Townsend. Further, Townsend contends that the scheme to falsify the corporate records was sufficiently similar if not identical to the offense of falsifying a Form 637. 26 Rule 404(b) provides that a defendant may offer through extrinsic evidence or by cross-examination similar bad acts, crimes, or wrongs to show motive, opportunity, intent, and the like. 7 However, under Rule 404(b), evidence of crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible if offered to prove the character of a witness in order to show that the witness acted in conformity therewith on a particular occasion. As discussed above, the district court did not find a scheme or plan to falsify the corporate records, thereby refuting the reasons Appellant proffered for introducing the evidence. Furthermore, Appellant's brief indicates that the evidence was introduced for purposes of showing conformity rather than motive or intent in direct contravention to Rule 404(b). Appellant alleged that the scheme to falsify documents to mislead or defraud the bankruptcy court and the IRS was sufficiently similar if not identical to the offense of falsifying a Form 637. Therefore, this Court affirms the district court's decision in excluding the evidence. Because the district court did not commit error, we do not reach application of the harmless error doctrine.