Opinion ID: 346934
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Venezia's Conviction on Conspiracy Count

Text: 54 Venezia argues that the Government failed to prove that he was a part of the conspiracy. 20 He contends that the evidence established nothing more than that he was a customer of Budget Films, who bought and sold films to Budget. When viewed in the light most favorable to the Government the evidence shows much more. 55 Unindicted co-conspirator Katz testified that in November, 1974, Venezia offered to sell him a package of television films that Budget Films had . . . stored away, which Katz purchased for $8,000. During the same period, Venezia offered to sell Katz a copy of the motion picture Golden Needles, which Venezia said was stored at Budget Films. Venezia drove Katz to Budget Films, went inside, came out with a copy of the film and gave it to Katz. On one occasion Venezia warned Katz that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating copyright violations. During an interview with two F.B.I. Special Agents, Venezia made the false exculpatory statement that he had never sold films to Harry Katz. This evidence was sufficient to establish Venezia as a member of the conspiracy. 21 See United States v. Knight, 416 F.2d 1181 (9 Cir. 1969).