Opinion ID: 804482
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Further Enhancements on Remand

Text: The record makes clear that, throughout the proceedings in the district court, the parties were conflicted on how to label the fraud perpetrated by Johns—as bankruptcy fraud, with the Ten Hoves as the victims; as bank fraud, with Banks’ lenders as the victims; or both. The record before us is unclear as to whether the government, in the district court, presented alternative arguments regarding possible guidelines enhancements in the event that the district court viewed Banks’ lenders as victims of the scheme at issue. If the government did make such alternative arguments, and the district court, due to its view of the case, did not reach those arguments, then the arguments are preserved and can be argued on remand. Cf. Walker v. Wallace Auto Sales, Inc., 155 F.3d 927, 936 (7th Cir. 1998) (“Because the district court did not reach the issue of whether the plaintiffs’ remaining claims are viable and the parties have not briefed that issue on appeal, we remand that issue to the district court for its consideration in the first instance.”). If the arguments were not made at Johns’ original sentencing hearings, the arguments for further enhancements have been waived. Skarbek v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 500, 505 (7th Cir. 2004).