Opinion ID: 691991
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Using a False Social Security Number with Intent to Deceive

Text: 31 Mr. Ellis was also convicted under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 408(g)(2) 9 on two counts of using a false social security number with the intent to deceive. The elements of the offense are that [the] defendant (1) for any purpose, (2) with intent to deceive, (3) represented a particular social security account number to be his or another person's, (4) which representation was false. United States v. Darrell, 828 F.2d 644, 647 (10th Cir.1987). Mr. Ellis' convictions arose out of his use of a number other than his own on the HUD-insured loan application (count VI) and the HUD insurance application (count VII). 32 Mr. Ellis points out that he stated to Agent Walkowiak upon his arrest that he did not know his social security number. He also notes that his W-2 forms bore two different social security numbers. He contends that he was honestly confused about which social security number was correct. The jury knew that Mr. Ellis filed for bankruptcy on at least eight occasions, using his real social security number four times (1980, 1981, 1989, and 1991). Mr. Ellis received W-2 forms bearing his correct social security number and was convicted of intentionally altering certain of these W-2 forms that were presented with his HUD insurance application. In addition, Mr. Ellis possessed a strong motive to use a false social security number on his loan and insurance applications: If he did not conceal his prior credit history, these applications most likely would have been denied. Mr. Ellis used a social security number on the loan and insurance forms that he had never used in any of his prior bankruptcy proceedings; thus, his prior bankruptcies did not show up on a credit check. Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, the jury had ample evidence from which to find that Mr. Ellis knowingly used a false social security number with the intent to deceive.