Opinion ID: 402152
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Limitation on Expenditure for Business Consultant.

Text: 102 Phillips submitted three proposals from business consulting firms requesting between $145,000 and $45,000 which were rejected by Judge Urbom. The judge authorized Phillips to engage expert assistance at a maximum fee of $10,000 plus $1,000 in expenses. 103 The granting and denial of funds under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) is dependent on factual findings and evaluative judgment and thus must be committed to the discretion of the trial court. Denial or limitation of funds is not grounds for reversal absent a showing of prejudice. United States v. Eagle, 586 F.2d 1193, 1197 (8th Cir. 1978). 104 Phillips argues that he would have obtained a benefit only in his defense under counts three and four. The business consultant would have analyzed PFA and thus would not have assisted in Phillips' defense against the charges of securities fraud in the sale of PI securities contained in counts five and six. 105 Phillips did not demonstrate to the trial court that he could not conduct and present analysis of PFA's business and bank records and obtain testimony concerning standard accounting procedures. He was only prevented from securing the assistance of an expert to evaluate the entire business. We fail to see any abuse of the trial court's discretion. 106