Opinion ID: 2994229
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Frazier’s Plea

Text: Frazier argues that the court improperly denied his motion to compel the government to file a sec. 5K1.1 departure motion for substantial assistance or in the alternative to withdraw his plea. The government refused to file the sec. 5K1.1 departure motion on the grounds that Frazier lied on the stand regarding his deal with the government during Mason and Walker’s trial. The government argues that this lie constituted a material breach of the plea agreement and therefore it was relieved of any obligation to file the motion. The district court found that Frazier did not live up to his end of the bargain and denied both of his motions. Plea agreements are contracts and thus subject to contract law. United States v. Lezine, 166 F.3d 895, 901 (7th Cir. 1999). The government cannot unilaterally determine that the defendant has breached the plea agreement and refuse to uphold its end of the bargain. Id. An evidentiary hearing is required for the court to determine if a substantial breach of the plea agreement has occurred. Id. Because plea agreements are considered contracts, a breach must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Ataya, 864 F.2d 1324, 1337 (7th Cir. 1988); United States v. Verrusio, 803 F.3d 885 (7th Cir. 1986). In this case the district court provided insufficient findings of fact to support its determination that Frazier substantially breached the plea agreement. The district court simply stated that there was no doubt in his mind that Frazier did not live up to his end of the bargain. The court did not elaborate or provide sufficient findings for its reasoning, therefore we remand for a more complete explanation of the what facts the court found that led to his conclusion that Frazier did not live up to his end of the bargain. In all other respects, the decisions of the district court are affirmed. The case is remanded for the sole purpose of addressing the issues relating to Frazier’s breach of the plea bargain. Affirmed in part and reversed in part.