Opinion ID: 779205
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Paul Corrado's Resentencing

Text: 7 Prior to resentencing, an evidentiary hearing was held at which Nove Tocco, another defendant in the RICO case, testified with respect to some of the factual findings remanded to the district court. Nove Tocco was called as a witness by the defense, although he is now cooperating with the government. On direct examination, Nove Tocco testified, among other things, (1) that he, rather than Paul, had recruited various individuals into their extortion scheme, and that Paul's role in the scheme declined over time; (2) that he did not see Paul with a handgun during the extortion of George Sophiea; and (3) that there had never been a plan to kidnap or murder Ramzi Yaldoo or Jesus Morales. These factual issues were relevant to the specific offense characteristics at issue in Paul's resentencing. 8 The district court then resentenced Paul to ninety-seven months' imprisonment plus sixty months to run consecutively. See J.A. at 1239 (Resentencing Mem.). In its written memorandum, the district court stated: 9 The Court of Appeals Decision remanding this case directed this court to make findings of facts supporting its conclusions with regard to the leadership roles of the defendant, the involvement of the defendant to conspiracy to murder Bowman, and the determination that the defendant was armed when he extorted money from George Sophiea. 10 Prior to sentencing, the defendant's attorney requested that the court also consider the fact that the defendant's only victims were, so the defendant argued, themselves engaged in criminal activity. 11 J.A. at 1232. The district court first found that the two-level adjustments based on Paul Corrado's leadership role, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(c), were supported by trial testimony and the testimony of Nove Tocco at the resentencing hearing. In sum, the district court found that: 12 Defendant Corrado recruited John Jarjosa and Tom Lenhard to assist in the extortion of Ramzi Yaldoo. Defendant Corrado also recruited John Jarjosa to assist in the extortion of money from George Yatooma and Sam Martin. Paul Corrado, along with Nove Tocco, utilized Peter Jack Corrado and Peter Tocco to assist them in the extortion of money from George Sophiea. The court finds all of these 3B1.1(c) increases in offense level are supported by a preponderance of the evidence. 13 J.A. at 1232-33. This conclusion was followed by a discussion of specific findings with respect to each enhancement. 14 The district court then found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Paul Corrado participated in a conspiracy to murder Harry Taco Bowman, the president of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club; that Paul Corrado was armed during the extortion of George Sophiea; and that the fact that the only victims of the defendant's criminal activities were themselves engaged in criminal activity as bookmakers was not an appropriate basis for a downward departure pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines, J.A. at 1238.