Opinion ID: 775760
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Reputation Evidence

Text: 27 Finally, McCall argues that the district court erred by admitting evidence of the bad reputation enjoyed by BFB and coalitions in general because there was no evidence that McCall capitalized upon the general reputation of coalitions, identified himself to contractors as a coalition member, or threatened violence. Bad reputation is relevant to the fear element in a Hobbs Act conspiracy since such a reputation frequently conveys a tacit threat of violence. United States v. Tropiano, 418 F.2d 1069, 1081 (2d Cir. 1969). McCall points out that the defendant in Tropiano actually had threatened his victim, id. at 1072, and argues that the absence of a direct threat differentiates his situation. However, the holding in Tropiano did not rest on the defendant's threats. Id. at 1081. Because the jury that convicted McCall and his co-defendants heard testimony that the victim contractors were aware of BFB's reputation and experienced fear because of actions taken by McCall or his co-conspirators, we reject this challenge.