Opinion ID: 776774
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Canestraro's Alleged Withdrawal from Foggia II

Text: 23 Canestraro next argues that he withdrew from the conspiracy at the meeting of the Foggia II partners and RSV, which he called in late Spring or early Summer of 1995. He contends that Vukelic's testimony established that he took affirmative action to disavow the conspiracy. Canestraro therefore claims that he should not be held responsible for any gratuities received after this meeting. Mr. Vukelic's testimony tended to show that approximately $76,000 to $77,000 had been paid to Foggia II at this time. Using this figure, Canestraro would have received a six-level enhancement, rather than a seven-level enhancement. See U.S.S.G. § 2F1.1(b). 24 Even if Canestraro's actions at the meeting in question were sufficient to constitute a withdrawal, this Circuit has explained that the effect of a withdrawal from a conspiracy may be eliminated if the defendant's state of mind after the act evidences continued acquiescence in the criminal activity. United States v. Lash, 937 F.2d 1077, 1085 (6th Cir.1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 949, 112 S.Ct. 397, 116 L.Ed.2d 347 (1991), and cert. denied, 502 U.S. 1061, 112 S.Ct. 943, 117 L.Ed.2d 113 (1992). Whether a defendant's subsequent actions evince a state of mind negating a withdrawal is a question of fact, and therefore reviewed only for clear error. Accord id. at 1084-85, 112 S.Ct. 943 (noting that state of mind indicating continued acquiescence was a jury question in criminal conspiracy trial). The district court found that the record shows without objection that in December of 1995, [Canestraro] called Mr. Vukelic, the payor of the gratuities, to ask for an accounting of the gratuities paid during the year. That, it seems to me, is the action of a person who is at least considering the possibility of securing his share of the gratuities paid. J.A. at 119. Canestraro does not dispute making the phone call cited by the district court, and offers no other evidence subsequent to the date of his alleged withdrawal that would tend to refute his continued acquiescence in the conspiracy. We conclude, therefore, that the district court did not clearly err in its factual finding that Canestraro's actions indicated his continued acquiescence in the conspiracy.