Opinion ID: 2496200
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Bourke challenges his conviction on the false statements count (Count III) on the ground that the verdict is not supported by sufficient evidence. A defendant challenging the sufficiency of the evidence bears a heavy burden, because the reviewing court is required to draw all permissible inferences in favor of the government and resolve all issues of credibility in favor of the jury verdict. United States v. Desena, 287 F.3d 170, 176-77 (2d Cir.2002). We must affirm the conviction if any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) (emphasis omitted). While circumstantial evidence may support a conviction, the conviction cannot rest on mere speculation or conjecture. United States v. Pinckney, 85 F.3d 4, 7 (2d Cir. 1996). Count Three charges that Bourke falsely stated during four proffer statements with the FBI that he was unaware that Kozeny made corrupt payments, transfers and gifts to the Azeri officials. The FBI agent who interviewed Bourke testified that when Bourke was asked if he learned of any personal favors or gifts between Kozeny and the Azeri officials Bourke replied, I was unaware. I'm still unaware of any transfers of anything. When asked if he had any reason to believe Kozeny had paid bribes or made corrupt payments, Bourke said, No. The government adduced statements from Bodmer and Farrell that contradicted Bourke's statements to the FBI. Specifically, Bodmer testified that Bourke had approached him in February 1998 about an arrangement with the Azeri officials, and that Bodmer had then explained to Bourke how the Azeri officials were to receive a two-thirds share of the vouchers without assuming any risk, and without payment. Bodmer's testimony regarding the timing of his conversation with Bourke in Baku was the subject of extensive cross-examination. Documentary evidence demonstrated that at least one of the conversations with Bourke that Bodmer testified to could not have taken place on the date Bodmer believed it did, and the government so stipulated. While Bodmer's testimony regarding the date of the conversation was questioned by the defense, that does not mean a reasonable juror could not conclude that the conversation took place on a different date. Indeed, both Bodmer and Farrell testified regarding conversations with Bourke by April 1998 about payments to the Azeri government officials, and both were extensively cross-examined on the issue. Bourke argues that the only reasonable inference from Bodmer and Farrell's failure to accurately identify the date the conversations took place is that the conversations never took place. However, drawing all inferences in favor of the government, as we must, a reasonable juror could have concluded that the conversations took place and that the witnesses simply got the dates wrong. Thus, there is sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction on Count Three.