Opinion ID: 735902
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence on the bank fraud counts

Text: 18 Rucker contends that there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions on the bank fraud counts. He argues that, although submitting subcontractor payment vouchers for work on properties other than the property securing the loan violated the loan agreement, the evidence presented at trial failed to prove criminal intent. He also claims that, because his conduct did not cause National Bank of Southern California any loss, the jury lacked sufficient evidence to convict. 19 In assessing whether the evidence was sufficient to support a conviction, we review the record in a light most favorable to the government to determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found all the essential elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Molinaro, 11 F.3d 853, 857 n. 5 (9th Cir.1993), cert. denied, sub nom. Mangano v. United States, 115 S.Ct. 668 (1994); United States v. Soto, 779 F.2d 558, 560 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 833 (1987). 20 There was evidence that Rucker directed several subcontractors to alter invoices, receipts, and vouchers and to certify falsely that work had been done on the 16th Street property, which collateralized the loan, when the work actually had been done on other properties belonging to Rucker. Rucker then certified that the vouchers were correct. A reasonable jury could find that the evidence in the record established the requisite specific intent to defraud beyond a reasonable doubt. 21 Rucker's argument that the bank suffered no loss as a result of his fraud fails. We have held that a federally supported financial institution need not incur a 'loss' in order to be a victim of 'false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.'  United States v. Mason, 902 F.2d 1434, 1442 (9th Cir.1990) (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 1344). It is the specific intent evidenced by a scheme to defraud that the statute penalizes.