Opinion ID: 454752
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Branton's Other Contentions

Text: 16 Branton contends that sanctions were inappropriate because of misconduct by the government in filing its narrative witness list 10 days late and in failing to move on its own for Branton's disqualification. Branton's first argument is without merit. The district court specifically considered the government's untimely filing of its narrative witness list in its order sanctioning Branton. The untimely filing of this document in no way affected Branton's earlier decision to become defendant's counsel of record with knowledge that he could be called as a witness. Moreover, even had the narrative witness list been filed on time, the trial would still have been postponed following Branton's disqualification. The extra ten days would clearly not have allowed defendant sufficient time to obtain another attorney who would have been prepared to try the case. 5 17 The government's failure to move to disqualify Branton raises a more difficult question, because the government had as much reason as Branton to know that a potential conflict of interest existed. The Assistant United States Attorney stated in oral argument that he had considered bringing a disqualification motion but had rejected the idea because Branton had been allowed to appear as both an attorney and a witness in a prior proceeding. The government's failure to act, however, does not mitigate or excuse Branton's misconduct. Branton created the situation that led to the postponement of the trial. Therefore, the court did not abuse its discretion by imposing a duty on him rather than on the government to take corrective action. 18 Finally, Branton argues that Judge Waters was biased against him. He cites as evidence of this bias that the district court glossed over the government's failure to file its narrative witness list on time and that the court had previously sanctioned him in connection with the filing of a motion to bifurcate the trial. Neither of these asserted grounds supports Branton's contention. The district court specifically noted and disapproved of the government's untimely filing of the narrative witness list. 6 Moreover, as Branton concedes, the district court vacated its award of sanctions in connection with the motion to bifurcate. Thus, Branton has not shown any basis for his allegations of bias. III The Cross-Appeal 19 The government contends that the district court erred by awarding it a lesser amount of sanctions than it requested. The district court reduced the requested amount because it found that not all of the time and money expended in trial preparation had been lost because of Branton's conduct. Section 1927 authorizes the taxing of only excess costs incurred because of an attorney's unreasonable conduct; it does not authorize imposition of sanctions to reimburse a party for the ordinary costs of trial. United States v. Blodgett, 709 F.2d 608, 610-11 (9th Cir.1983). Thus, the district court's reduction of the government's request was proper if the court correctly found that not all of the amount sought by the government had been lost by reason of Branton's conduct. The government cites no evidence from which this court could conclude that the district court's findings were clearly erroneous. IV Sanctions 20 The government has also requested sanctions against Branton for bringing this appeal. This court has discretion to impose attorney fees and single or double costs as sanctions for bringing a frivolous appeal. Fed.R.App.P. 38; 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1912; DeWitt v. Western Pacific Railroad Co., 719 F.2d 1448, 1451 (9th Cir.1983). An appeal is frivolous where the result is obvious or the arguments on appeal wholly lack merit. Id. We decline to impose sanctions here because Branton's appeal does not meet that standard. 21 Accordingly, the order of the district court is AFFIRMED.