Opinion ID: 738948
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bakhshekooei

Text: 11 Bakhshekooei claims that there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions for mail and wire fraud, for aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. We disagree. 12 The government presented evidence that Bakhshekooei played a central role in the fraudulent scheme. This evidence, summarized below, was sufficient to establish all the elements of mail and wire fraud, aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. 13 First, Bakhshekooei used a false name, Tony Jacobs, and falsely characterized the four telemarketing companies as mail order companies when he purchased leads to potential customers. Bakhshekooei attempted to avoid the close scrutiny that the sellers of these leads apply to telemarketing companies to ensure that they are not engaged in fraudulent activities. A rational jury could have inferred that Bakhshekooei made these misrepresentations because he knew that the four telemarketing companies were engaged in fraudulent activity. 14 Second, a rational jury could have concluded that Bakhshekooei acted with the intent to defraud a vulnerable group--senior citizens. The government offered evidence that Bakhshekooei purchased leads from categories such as Contest Buyer and Opportunity Seeker. An expert testified that anyone familiar with the purchase of mailing lists would know that these categories are composed primarily of elderly people. 15 Third, the government introduced evidence that Bakhshekooei knew that a large number of customers complained that they had not received prizes expressly promised to them or that they received products they did not order. Bakhshekooei also oversaw the creation of a do not sell list comprised of these complaining customers. This list, disseminated to the sales representatives, prevented any further sales contacts with these customers. A rational jury could have concluded that Bakhshekooei was intentionally protecting the telemarketing companies from any investigations that may have resulted from customer complaints to the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General. 16 Additionally, the following circumstantial evidence supported the conclusion that Bakhshekooei was an active participant in the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud: (1) Bakhshekooei worked with Laros and Cooper at more than one of the telemarketing companies; (2) Bakhshekooei, Laros, and Cooper were the only ones who received lease payments for luxury automobiles; (3) Bakhshekooei was one of five people who received reimbursements for meals and travel; and (4) Bakhshekooei went on a trip to Las Vegas with Laros and Cooper--a trip reserved exclusively for the highest level owners and managers. 17 A rational trier of fact could also reasonably infer from the fact that Bakhshekooei was controller for the four telemarketing companies that he was aware of the companies' practice of shifting profits from one company to another. Furthermore, the government presented evidence that Bakhshekooei knew about the companies' practice of evading detection by shutting down, moving offices, and reopening under a new name because he was with the companies when they made these moves. 18 Accordingly, there was sufficient evidence for a rational jury to convict Bakhshekooei of mail and wire fraud, aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.