Opinion ID: 3036135
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Obstructing an Agency Proceeding

Text: To convict Bhagat for obstructing an agency proceeding pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1505, the government was required to prove that an agency of the United States government was conducting a proceeding; that the defendant was aware of that proceeding; and that the defendant intentionally interfered with, or obstructed the course of, that proceeding. Price, 951 F.2d at 1031. [11] Sufficient evidence also supports the jury’s verdict on this charge. It is undisputed that there was an SEC investigative proceeding of which Bhagat was aware. The prosecution also introduced evidence that Bhagat intentionally obstructed that proceeding by providing the SEC investigators with false information to cover up his acts of insider trading and tipping and eliminate himself as a suspect.5 Cf. United States v. Boone, 299 F.3d 1231, 1233-34 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting from Lilly v. Virginia, 527 U.S. 116, 139 (1999)) (criminal suspects have a “natural motive to attempt to exculpate [themselves] as much as possible” while being questioned by law enforcement). No relief is warranted on this ground. 5 This testimony included Bhagat’s denying knowing anyone who purchased Nvidia securities during the week of the X-Box contract award and denying informing anyone outside of Nvidia of the contract award. Specific evidence to the contrary was introduced at trial by the prosecution. 1432 UNITED STATES v. BHAGAT