Opinion ID: 204150
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Improper Income Supplementation Charge

Text: Counts 59 and 60 charged Alfonzo with knowingly and willfully receiving improper payments from FSA clients in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 209 and 216. Count 59 alleged that Alfonzo received a cash payment of $10,000. Count 60 alleged that Alfonzo received payment in the form of auto body repairs to his wife's automobile. To establish a claim under § 209, the government must establish the following four elements: (1) a non-government party (2) makes a contribution or supplementation to (3) the salary of an executive branch official (4) as compensation for his services as an officer or employee of the executive branch. See United States v. Project on Gov't Oversight, 543 F.Supp.2d 55, 62 (D.D.C.2008). The last element requires two inquiries: (1) what the disputed payment is for, i.e., what activity prompted the compensation; and (2) the subjective intent of the parties to determine what the payment was actually for, especially where there are various activities that could have motivated the payment. Id. Alfonzo argues that there is insufficient evidence to support his convictions on Counts 59 and 60 because the $10,000 cash payment and automobile repairs were gifts. Alfonzo also argues that no witnesses testified that they paid Alfonzo for his FSA services. These assertions are without merit. In support of Count 59, numerous cattlemen testified that they provided the cash payment to Alfonzo to place them in a better position to obtain future benefits through the FSA, and that they donated the money to Alfonzo in appreciation, because he had helped [them] get those benefits. In support of Count 60, several witnesses testified that they paid for the repairs performed on Alfonzo's wife's automobile to get on Alfonzo's good side and to please Alfonzo. Accordingly, there is sufficient evidence that non-government parties improperly supplemented Alfonzo's income in exchange for the services he rendered as a FSA employee. This is sufficient to support Alfonzo's convictions on Counts 59 and 60.