Opinion ID: 764420
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Barrett's victim

Text: 11 Appellant argues second that the enhancement is inapplicable because the Bank of New York was the victim of his bank fraud and Barrett held no position of trust with respect to the bank. According to Barrett, the bank entrusted him with no special authority. 12 We utilize the victim's perspective in applying the enhancement for abuse of a position of trust. See Castagnet, 936 F.2d at 62. However, the definition of victim depends upon the circumstances of the case. We must examine the relationship that existed between the defendant and victim and whether it provided defendant the ability to commit the crime. See id. In addition, the Sentencing Guidelines recognize that there exist primary and secondary victims of fraud. See United States v. Echevarria, 33 F.3d 175, 180-81 (2d Cir.1994) (holding that government, insurance companies and patients were victims of defendant who posed as a doctor and fraudulently collected payments for medical services). Banks are not always the immediate victims in a bank fraud. See United States v. Rodriguez, 140 F.3d 163, 168 (2d Cir.1998). 13 In this case, Barrett's relationship with F. Schumacher enabled him to commit and conceal his crime, and the company's relationship with the Bank of New York enabled Barrett to realize cash from his fraudulent checks. Barrett's scheme took advantage of both institutions in order to embezzle funds. The district court therefore properly applied Section 3B1.3.