Opinion ID: 425171
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ciuzio

Text: 158 Ciuzio's defense at trial was based on his assertion that he lacked the intent necessary to be convicted of the crimes charged in the indictment. Specifically, Ciuzio contended that the evidence demonstrated that he never intended for Kelly to be bribed by Amoroso, but rather showed that he was trying to take the money offered by the Abscam operatives for himself. 145 Although there is evidence in the record which supports Ciuzio's defense; 146 there is ample evidence from which a reasonable juror could conclude that Ciuzio intended for Kelly to receive Amoroso's bribe. Accordingly, judgment of acquittal was not appropriate. 159 The video tape of Kelly's January 8 meeting with Amoroso permitted the jury to observe Kelly's demeanor as Amoroso outlined the obviously corrupt proposal. Kelly registered no surprise or protest, but instead showed his familiarity with the proposal when he told Amoroso that he understood the protective purpose for the Arabs' investments in his district. 147 Kelly also demonstrated that he had considered the Arabs' proposal prior to the meeting by discussing specific potential investments with Amoroso. 148 From this evidence the jury could reasonably infer that Ciuzio made good on his promise to Amoroso and Weinberg to lay out the story for Kelly. 149 160 Furthermore, in a telephone call on December 20, Ciuzio told Weinberg that he had asked Kelly to call him from a public phone booth, rather than from his congressional office, to discuss the transaction. 150 The next day Ciuzio told Weinberg that Kelly had returned his call as requested and was available to meet Amoroso on January 8. 151 Ciuzio's request that Kelly use an outside call 152 to discuss the Arabs' proposal provides evidence from which the jury could infer that Ciuzio was concerned that the subject matter of their conversation not be overheard by persons in Kelly's office. These facts support the conclusion that Ciuzio was aware of the corrupt nature of the transaction, fully explained the Arabs' corrupt proposal to Kelly, and was working to arrange Amoroso's payment of a bribe to Kelly. 161 Further support for such a conclusion is provided by the FBI's recording of Ciuzio's meeting with Amoroso and Weinberg on December 19. Ciuzio told Amoroso and Weinberg that Kelly was already takin[g] money and that he and Weisz had decided that Kelly should get $100,000 of the Arabs' $250,000 payment because that['s] what [Kelly] needs to straighten his whole life out. 153 Ciuzio also indicated that he was obligated to protect Kelly because a direct payment of a bribe could compromise him. 154 Ciuzio's statements strongly suggest that he fully expected Kelly to receive a bribe in exchange for his promise to assist the Arabs. Additionally, Ciuzio's concern for protecting Kelly provides a reasonable explanation, consistent with a finding of criminal intent on the part of Ciuzio, for Ciuzio's insistence that Amoroso not bribe Kelly directly, but rather pass the money to Kelly through either Ciuzio or Weisz--evidence which otherwise would support Ciuzio's defense. 155 162 On this record, a reasonable juror could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Ciuzio knowingly participated in a scheme whereby Amoroso bribed Kelly. That being the case, the district court properly denied Ciuzio's motion for judgment of acquittal and submitted the question of Ciuzio's guilt to the jury.