Opinion ID: 172613
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bank Fraud Charges

Text: Bowling was charged and convicted of bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344(1). Under this provision: Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, a scheme or artifice—
shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both. § 1344(1). In order to obtain a conviction under § 1344(1), the government must prove that: “(1) the defendant knowingly executed or attempted to execute a scheme or artifice to defraud a financial institution; (2) the defendant had the intent to defraud a financial institution; and (3) the bank involved was federally insured.” 3 United States v. Gallant, 537 F.3d 1202, 1223 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting United States v. Flanders, 491 F.3d 1197, 1212 (10th Cir. 2007)), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 2026 (2009). A “‘scheme or artifice to defraud’ simply requires a design, plan, or ingenious contrivance or device to defraud.” Id. (quotation omitted). Further, 3 Neither party takes issue with the third element of bank fraud under § 1344(1). FEB is a federally insured bank. -10- “the intent necessary for a bank fraud conviction is an intent to deceive the bank in order to obtain from it money or other property.” Id. (quoting United States v. Kenrick, 221 F.3d 19, 26–27 (1st Cir. 2000) (en banc)). We have noted that “Section 1344 was intended to reach a wide range of fraudulent activity that undermines the integrity of the federal banking system, and courts have liberally construed the statute.” Id. (quotation and internal quotation marks omitted).