Opinion ID: 561283
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Indictment and Evidence of Other Acts and Loans

Text: 19 Wicker claims that the indictment is invalid because, at the time the predicate acts for the Sec. 215 and Sec. 1344 conspiracy were committed, neither Sec. 215 nor Sec. 1344 covered institutions insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC). He further alleges that evidence concerning these acts was introduced at trial in violation of FED.R.EVID. 404(b). The district court cured any defect in the indictment by striking the acts in question from the indictment and that the introduction of these acts as evidence does not offend Rule 404(b). 20 The indictment charged Wicker with conspiracy and substantive violations beginning at a time unknown ... but prior to April 1984. The indictment also lists as overt acts Wicker's gift of a Lincoln Town Car and a condominium to Crow in May 1984. Both Sec. 215 and Sec. 1344 became effective as to FSLIC insured institutions on October 12, 1984. Wicker objected that these acts were not criminal at the time they were committed. The district court ordered them stricken from the indictment. Assuming the indictment was defective, any defect was cured by the district court's action. Wicker cites no authority to the contrary and has failed to show how the initial inclusion of these acts on the indictment prejudiced his defense or affected his substantial rights in any way. 21 Rule 404(b) disallows the introduction of evidence of other bad acts to show that the defendant acted in conformity therewith. However such evidence is admissible for other purposes such as to show motive, preparation or a concerted plan. A trial court's rulings admitting or excluding evidence will not be reversed except for abuse of discretion. Some substantial right of a party must be affected. Muzyka v. Remington Arms Co., Inc., 774 F.2d 1309 (5th Cir.1985). 22 The government contends that these acts excluded from the indictment were inextricably intertwined with the illegal conduct and were necessary to show the relationship between Wicker and Crow. The government also contends evidence about Wicker's defaulted loans was necessary to show Wicker's intent to defraud First Financial. We agree. 23 Evidence of Wicker's gifts of the Lincoln Town Car and the condominium and of his defaulted loans was reasonably necessary to establish the past relationship between Wicker and Crow and the context and framework in which the loan that involved the bribe occurred. The indictment specifically alleged the defaulted loans. The prosecution also supported its position that these loans were parts of a scheme to defraud with testimony from Crow that he did not closely scrutinize the loans which involved Wicker. The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting any of this evidence.