Opinion ID: 507204
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Evidence of WPSC's Prior Dealings.

Text: 42 The district court allowed the jury to hear evidence of other instances in which WPSC had promised to loan money for a project and subsequently foreclosed before loaning the entire amount. WPSC argues that such evidence was inadmissible under Fed.R.Evid. 404(b) which provides: 43 Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. 44 This rule allows the admission of evidence of other 'crimes, wrongs, or acts' unless the only purpose for their admission is to prove the ... disposition of the defendant. United States v. Harenberg, 732 F.2d 1507, 1515 (10th Cir.1984) (emphasis original). Here there were legitimate reasons to offer the evidence other than to show that WPSC acted in conformity with the disposition allegedly suggested by the other foreclosures. Plaintiffs contend that WPSC never intended to loan them the full amount necessary to develop the project and that WPSC planned all along to gain possession of the project through foreclosure. Evidence that WPSC failed to advance the promised amount in other deals and then foreclosed would, if believed, support plaintiffs' position regarding WPSC's motive, intent, or plan. Evidence offered for this purpose is expressly admissible under Rule 404(b). 45 WPSC also contends that, even if it is otherwise admissible, the evidence should have been excluded because its prejudicial nature outweighed its probative value. We will reverse only if the trial court abused its discretion. United States v. Hart, 729 F.2d 662, 669 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1161, 105 S.Ct. 914, 83 L.Ed.2d 927 (1985). We hold that it did not. The district court did not err in admitting the evidence. 46