Opinion ID: 657239
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Entrapment by Estoppel Jury Instruction

Text: 39 Woodley says the court erred in refusing his proposed jury instructions on entrapment by estoppel. He argues that he solicited the government's advice in the Fay letter, it never responded, but continued to reimburse all of Imperial's rent. 40 We have not resolved whether the denial of a jury instruction is reviewed de novo or for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Streit, 962 F.2d 894, 897 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 431, 121 L.Ed.2d 352 (1992). We need not decide which standard of review applies as we affirm under either. Id. 41 Woodley fails to make a prima facie showing of entrapment by estoppel. See United States v. Brebner, 951 F.2d 1017, 1024 (9th Cir.1991) (setting out test for entrapment by estoppel defense). His reliance on governmental inaction is insufficient to establish this defense. See Lavin v. Marsh, 644 F.2d 1378, 1382 (9th Cir.1981) (mere failure to inform or assist not enough to invoke estoppel against government).