Opinion ID: 721130
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: violation of the plea agreement

Text: 4 Lindley contends that the government breached its plea agreement by seeking enhancements under both § 2F1.1 [jeopardizing a financial institution] and § 3B1.3 [use of special skill]. The plea agreement provides, this Office agrees that it will not seek adjustments both under these sections [§ 2F1.1(b)(7) and § 2F1.1(b)(6) ] and for abuse of trust under § 3B1.3. In another section, the plea agreement provides: 5 6. Abuse of Trust. The parties will attempt to determine prior to sentencing whether any adjustments under § 3B1.3 for abuse of trust are applicable in this case.... provided, however, that this Office agrees that it will not seek an adjustment both under this section and for jeopardizing or affecting a financial institution under § 2B1.1(b)(7) and § 2F1.1(b)(6). 6 Section 3B1.3 provides two alternative bases for departure: 1) abuse of trust, and 2) use of special skill. 7 At sentencing, the government sought increases under § 2F1.1(b)(6) for jeopardizing a financial institution and § 3B1.3 for use of special skill. Lindley argues that the government agreed not to seek any departure under § 3B1.3 if it sought a departure under § 2F1.1(b)(6). 8 To determine whether a violation [of a plea agreement] has occurred, the ... court should consider what [Lindley] reasonably understood when he pled guilty. United States v. Anderson, 970 F.2d 602, 607 (9th Cir.1993). The government only agreed not to seek a departure for breach of trust under § 3B1.3 if it sought a departure under § 2F1.1(b)(6). It was free to seek a departure for use of special skill under § 3B1.3. The government did not violate the plea agreement.