Opinion ID: 602391
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: evidence of cooperation by weiner with the fbi

Text: 7 Counsel for Gendelman and Lewin sought to introduce evidence concerning Weiner's cooperation in the investigation of Mayor Young, to show Weiner's manipulative ability and unique skills, to demonstrate their lack of intent in the scheme. Weiner objected to the introduction of this, as it occurred after the scheme had terminated. The prosecution also objected, but the court advised the parties that the evidence was relevant and required advance notice of the playing of the taped recorded conversations by Weiner, so that any prejudicial portions could be deleted. 8 This evidence first arose in trial when FBI Special Agent Thomas Cannistra testified for the prosecution. On cross-examination by counsel for Gendelman and Lewin, the court permitted questions concerning Weiner's cooperation with the government. Cannistra testified that Weiner had secretly taped conversations with Mayor Young on four occasions in the fall of 1986 before he began taping on behalf of the FBI. Thereafter, the FBI had him record 39 conversations with Mayor Young between February 19 and May 19, 1987. The Internal Revenue Service then took over the investigation and had 40 more recordings made by Weiner. Cannistra also testified that Mayor Young had large stashes of money, gold and precious stones in his mansion and that he had invested $400,000.00 with Weiner between 1983-86. Cannistra further stated that he went to California and Georgia with Weiner to look in some safe deposit boxes which contained gold coins belonging to Mayor Young. 9 However, none of the taped conversations between Weiner and Young were played at trial until Weiner took the stand. Weiner testified at length about his investing on behalf of Mayor Young during the time of the scheme and how he later cooperated with the FBI in taping conversations with the Mayor. During this testimony, his counsel played nine of the recordings he had made and he commented on what happened in connection with those conversations. 10 Weiner asserts that it was error for the court to have admitted this evidence, as it did not come within the purview of Fed.R.Evid. 404(b). 1 The district court carefully considered the provisions of the rule, and allowed the evidence to be introduced to show the lack of intent on the part of the codefendants, Lewin and Gendelman. The prosecution now asserts that it could have introduced these other acts to show the existence of a larger continuing plan, scheme or conspiracy, of which the conspiracy on trial was a part, citing United States v. Passarella, 788 F.2d 377 (6th Cir.1986). It would have been a valid use. The trial court has broad discretion to determine whether evidence of other acts is admissible against a defendant in a criminal case. See, e.g., United States v. Ebens, 800 F.2d 1422, 1433 (6th Cir.1986). Moreover, it would not be outweighed by prejudice, for the evidence demonstrated the cooperation of the defendant with the FBI in ferreting out crimes involving public officials. Finally, there would have been very little evidence in the trial on this point, had Weiner let it rest after cross-examination of the FBI agent by defense counsel. When he introduced the recordings during his testimony in chief, his counsel pursued a deliberate trial strategy which failed. See United States v. Zalman, 870 F.2d 1047, 1056 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 492 U.S. 921, 109 S.Ct. 3248, 106 L.Ed.2d 594 (1989). Therefore, Weiner waived any objection that he might have had to the recordings, when he elected to introduce them in his own case in chief.