Opinion ID: 751803
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Klehm's Grand Jury Investigation

Text: 8 In the course of the Government's grand jury investigation of Klehm, the prosecutor became aware that Fawley had worked at the nursery and maintained a close relationship with Klehm. Thus, the Government subpoenaed Fawley to testify before Klehm's grand jury. Prior to his testimony, Fawley met with Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence S. Beaumont (Beaumont). During interviews with a number of Klehm's alien employees, the prosecutor learned that Fawley had acted as an interpreter for Klehm and been present during several conversations between Klehm and his workers when the aliens' illegal status was discussed. Beaumont asked Fawley whether he had any knowledge whatsoever regarding Klehm's employment of illegal aliens. When Fawley responded that he did not, U.S. Attorney Beaumont told him that he did not believe him, that he (Fawley) was obstructing the Government's case against Klehm, and further that if Fawley continued to lie, he would go to prison. Beaumont also inquired of Fawley whether he had instructed several of the illegal aliens to leave Champaign to avoid testifying before the grand jury. Fawley stated that he had not. 9 Later that day, Beaumont called Fawley before the grand jury and again warned him before testifying that if he answered any material question falsely, he would be charged with perjury and imprisoned. He proceeded to ask Fawley approximately 15 questions to determine the extent of his knowledge as to the existence of illegal aliens at the nursery. The defendant denied having any knowledge of the aliens prior to March 16, 1995 (the date of the INS raid), and this outright denial became the foundation of the first of the two substantive statements contained in the perjury indictment later issued against him. During a hearing before the grand jury, Beaumont also asked Fawley at least four times whether or not he had ever stated to the aliens that it would be better if they returned to Mexico prior to Klehm's trial. Fawley denied this allegation, which eventually became the basis for the second of the two substantive statements contained in the indictment.