Opinion ID: 789837
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Exclusion of Extrinsic Proof as to Ilenfeld and George

Text: 41 Della Rose also challenges the exclusion of extrinsic evidence concerning both Ilenfeld and George. With respect to Ilenfeld, Della Rose sought to introduce additional testimony that Ilenfeld had used multiple social security numbers. He also sought to introduce evidence that during the divorce and custody litigation with his ex-wife, Ilenfeld covertly tape-recorded some 13 telephone conversations with his wife and then dubbed portions of them together to produce an unflattering amalgam that he either used or attempted to use against her in the custody proceeding. With respect to George, Della Rose sought to establish that, several years before his settlement with the CHA, George was spending some $10,000 per month on his drug habit. 42 We find no abuse of discretion in the district court's decision not to allow extrinsic proof on these points, even assuming that the proffered evidence was admissible in form and relevant in some way. During his testimony, Ilenfeld admitted to having used social security numbers other than his actual number; extrinsic proof that he used multiple numbers thus would not have materially contributed to the jury's assessment of his veracity or of the possibility that it was he alone, and not Della Rose, who defrauded George. As for the tape that Ilenfeld purportedly dubbed for use against his ex-wife, Ilenfeld was asked about this on cross-examination and denied having made such a tape. The district court was entitled to conclude, pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 403, that whatever marginal probative value extrinsic evidence on this subject might have was substantially outweighed by the prospect of a sideshow as to what occurred during Ilenfeld's divorce. As for the extent of George's drug habit, the jury was well aware that George had a serious drug problem; George admitted as much in his testimony. George had been asked at his deposition in the civil suit whether he had ever spent as much as $10,000 on his habit and had denied it. The same question was put to him again at trial and again he answered no. In view of the fact that the jury was aware that George had a serious drug habit, the district court was entitled to cut off further inquiry into this subject.