Opinion ID: 436140
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Testimony of Other First Commodity Customers

Text: 22 First Commodity contends that the admission of the testimony of several witnesses who testified to prior similar activities by First Commodity was so prejudicial that it violated Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence, thus constituting an abuse of discretion by the district court and compelling reversal. We do not agree. 23 Rule 404(b) provides that evidence of other crimes or bad acts of the defendant may be admitted to show absence of mistake, identity, intent, and common plan or scheme. On the issue of punitive damages, the testimony of other customers about representations made by First Commodity through its agents was properly introduced to show First Commodity's absence of mistake and its intent to defraud the public. See Colonial Refrigerated Transportation, Inc. v. Mitchell, 403 F.2d 541 (5th Cir.1968) (judgment against defendant for prior similar fraud committed by defendant's employees held admissible in suit against defendant for limited purpose of proving motive, knowledge, or intent). Inasmuch as proper limiting instructions were given to the jury, First Commodity suffered no unfair prejudice from the admission of this testimony. 1 We hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the testimony of other First Commodity customers. 2 24