Opinion ID: 574322
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: insufficient evidence claims of david sturman and ralph levine

Text: 22 David Sturman asserts that the prosecution produced insufficient evidence to support his conviction. He specifically points to a lack of proof evidencing his participation in a conspiracy or of the formation of a willful conspiracy. 23 A conviction withstands a sufficiency of evidence challenge if 24 after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government and drawing all reasonable inferences in the government's favor, the evidence is sufficient to justify a reasonable juror's conclusion that each element of the offense has been established beyond a reasonable doubt.... 25 United States v. Poulos, 895 F.2d 1113, 1117 (6th Cir.1990) (citations omitted). When attempting to prove an individual's participation in a conspiracy, the prosecution must first establish that a conspiracy existed. This Court stated the elements necessary for proof of conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 in United States v. Meyers, 646 F.2d 1142 (6th Cir.1981): 26 The essential elements of conspiracy are: (1) that the conspiracy described in the indictment was willfully formed, and was existing at or about the time alleged; (2) that the accused willfully became a member of the conspiracy; (3) that one of the conspirators thereafter knowingly committed at least one of the overt acts charged in the indictment, at or about the time and place alleged; and (4) that such overt act was knowingly done in furtherance of some object or purpose of the conspiracy as charged. 27 Id. at 1143-44. The existence of a conspiracy can be inferred from circumstantial evidence. United States v. Levinson, 405 F.2d 971 (6th Cir.1968), cert. denied, 395 U.S. 958, 89 S.Ct. 2097, 23 L.Ed.2d 744 (1969). Once a conspiracy has been established, the prosecution need only produce slight evidence to implicate the defendant. Poulos, 895 F.2d at 1117. 28 Extensive evidence was submitted at trial to establish the existence of a conspiracy. Evidence against David Sturman included his admission that he had opened two Swiss bank accounts under assumed names, his signature authority over 20 additional accounts under the names of various fictitious persons, his directorship at one of the corporations used to channel money from other businesses, and his failure to report his signature authority over Swiss accounts as required by law. All of these activities were interrelated to his father's overall activities. His father's secretary and accountant were also active in the overall scheme. This evidence is adequate to prove the existence of a conspiracy. The testimony of various witnesses, the signature cards with David Sturman's name, and his own admissions implicate the defendant. The jury reasonably could have inferred from the evidence that David Sturman knew of the conspiracy, willfully became a member of the conspiracy, and participated in the concealment of assets from the IRS. This Court finds that a reasonable jury could find the evidence adequate to implicate the defendant and support his conviction and therefore affirms the District Court findings.
29 Levine argues there is insufficient evidence of any agreement on his part to become a member of the conspiracy, and that even if he did so agree, it was to a different conspiracy then the one alleged. For this Court to sustain a conviction of conspiracy, 30 the defendant must know the purpose of the conspiracy, but not necessarily the full scope thereof, the detailed plans, operation, membership, or even the purpose of other members in the conspiracy. 31 United States v. Shermetaro, 625 F.2d 104, 108 (6th Cir.1980). Further, the Court is bound by all reasonable inferences and credibility choices in support of the jury's verdict. United States v. Hughes, 895 F.2d 1135, 1140 (6th Cir.1990) (quoting United States v. Stull, 743 F.2d 439, 442 (6th Cir.1984)). 32 As Levine concedes, Reuben Sturman conspired to defraud the government by creating numerous and complex means of concealing assets and income. Levine, who acted as a partner to Sturman, ran the Nevada businesses. An employee, Jack Marcum, testified that at least $70,000 in cash from the Nevada businesses went unrecorded every month. Levine failed to report the existence or use of this money and therefore furthered the purpose of the conspiracy. His signature authority and power of attorney on Swiss accounts, his failure to report such authority, and the signing of aliases on the signature cards provides further evidence from which the jury could imply willing membership. Levine argues that any finding that he participated in the conspiracy can only be based on inference piled on inference in violation of Direct Sales Co. v. United States, 319 U.S. 703, 711, 63 S.Ct. 1265, 1269, 87 L.Ed. 1674 (1943). This Court finds the evidence presented adequate to find participation in a conspiracy even without multiplying inferences. A reasonable jury could find the evidence sufficient to convict the defendant. 33