Opinion ID: 604939
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Count Fifteen--Money Laundering

Text: 26 Hall also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence with respect to his conviction for money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) (Supp.1993). To establish a violation of § 1956(a)(1), the government must prove that the defendant knowingly conducted a financial transaction which involved the proceeds of drug distribution and that he did so either with the intent to promote his drug business or with knowledge that the transaction was designed to disguise the nature or source of those proceeds. United States v. Blackman, 897 F.2d 309, 316 (8th Cir.1990). Morris testified that the cocaine partnership intended to invest the drug proceeds in a business, that $12,000 to $14,000 of the drug proceeds were actually invested in the renovation of a nightclub, and that payments for the building materials were made by Hall. He further testified that he was instructed by Hall to say the money for the renovation came from gambling winnings. Morris' testimony provides a direct link between drug proceeds and the money used for renovating the nightclub, as well as an intent to hide the source of financing for the renovation. The jury was entitled to credit the testimony of Morris and find all the elements necessary to convict Hall of money laundering.