Opinion ID: 588253
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the fraudulent intent evidence

Text: When considering challenges to the sufficiency of evidence, the trial record must be examined in the light most favorable to the government. United States v. Batista-Polanco, 927 F.2d 14 (1st Cir. 1991). Even though the defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal, he fails to refer to concrete examples of how the evidence was insufficient. Rather, the defendant maintains that the documentary evidence of fraud which was presented by the government shows only that Mason performed business transactions, albeit in an unusual manner, which he believed to be legitimate. Appellant's Brief at 11. Yet the intent to defraud a bank may be inferred by circumstantial evidence and need not be proven with a demonstration of the defendant's motive to injure the bank itself. United States v. Tokoph, 514 F.2d 597, 603-604 (10th Cir. 1975). The extensive documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the government (Mason's banking records; bank internal audit reports; and FBI expert testimony on check kiting scheme operations) gave the jury ample basis to infer that Mason had a fraudulent intent to deprive the banks of money.