Opinion ID: 204150
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Banco Santander Fraudulent Loan Charge

Text: Count 22 alleged that Alfonzo helped Alvarez obtain a commercial loan from Santander in which Alfonzo had a personal financial interest in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 208 and 216(a)(2). The government asserted that Alfonzo, in his capacity as a FSA loan manager, wrote a letter falsely stating that Alvarez had been approved for a $100,000 FSA loan that would be used to repay the commercial loan from Santander. Alfonzo argues that there is insufficient evidence to show that he participated in the processing of the emergency loan request. However, whether Alfonzo personally participated in the processing of the emergency loan request is immaterial. To establish a violation of § 208, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (1) was an officer or employee of the executive branch or an independent agency; (2) participated personally and substantially in his official governmental capacity in a matter; and (3) knew that he had a financial interest in that particular matter. United States v. Nevers, 7 F.3d 59, 62 (5th Cir.1993). The elements of the crime under § 208 are supported by sufficient evidence. Alfonzo, while employed as a FSA loan manager, personally and substantially participated in his official capacity by sending a letter on behalf of the FSA to Santander. Alfonzo's letter falsely stated that Alvarez's FSA loan had been approved, when in fact, Alfonzo knew that it had not been approved. The government also established that Alfonzo had a personal financial interest in the Santander loan, which he intended to use to save his financially vulnerable farms. Accordingly, there is sufficient evidence to support Alfonzo's conviction on Count 22.