Opinion ID: 11175
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Multiple Charges

Text: 45 Section 1344 prohibits two types of conduct: (1) a scheme to defraud and (2) a scheme to obtain monies by false representation. See 18 U.S.C. § 1344 (West Supp.1996). Count 5 of Harvard's indictment alleges violations of both types of proscribed conduct. It is this about which Harvard complains. He claims that because a single count of the indictment identified two crimes, he was forced to defend himself at trial while uninformed of the precise charges against him. Harvard's argument is without merit. 46 Where a statute specifies several alternative ways in which an offense can be committed, the indictment may allege the several ways in the conjunctive, and a conviction thereon will stand if proof of one or more of the means of commission is sufficient. Fields v. United States, 408 F.2d 885, 887 (5th Cir.1969) (footnote omitted); see also United States v. Wiley, 979 F.2d 365, 368 (5th Cir.1992). In Harvard's case, the government elected before the jury was charged--as is its option--to proceed under § 1344(1). The district court did not err in permitting the government to do so. The record shows that Harvard was fully prepared to and did defend against the charge that he engaged in a scheme to injure or defraud the bank on the Joint Venture loan.