Opinion ID: 2998005
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Baldwin challenges the sufficiency of the evidence used to convict him—a tough row to hoe considering that we will affirm a conviction if “after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 No. 03-3721 9 (1979); see also United States v. Seawood, 172 F.3d 986, 988 (7th Cir. 1999) (characterizing burden of proof on challenges to sufficiency of the evidence “a nearly insurmountable hurdle”). To establish a violation of the federal wire fraud statute, the government must prove that the defendant: (1) participated in a scheme to defraud; (2) had an intent to defraud; and (3) used the wires in furtherance of the fraudulent scheme. United States v. Masten, 170 F.3d 790, 794 (7th Cir. 1999). Baldwin contends that the government presented insufficient evidence to prove that he intended to defraud Piscopo. The contention is without merit. The government’s case consisted of documentary evidence, expert testimony, and witnesses with firsthand knowledge of Baldwin’s fraudulent activities. The court saw bank records detailing the various transactions involved. A law professor with expertise in commercial and financial fraud examined the documents and agreements and testified that Baldwin’s scheme had many of the hallmarks of a “prime investment scam.” He explained that it is not possible to instruct banks to designate funds for their reserves. Banks (including European banks) do not solicit short-term deposits from private investors to keep their reserves up; they borrow from other banks and government institutions. The government also presented the testimony of John Mathewson, chairman of the Cayman Islands bank where Piscopo’s $2 million were deposited after initially being wired to the offshore European bank. The district court found Mathewson’s testimony credible because it was supported by documents admitted into evidence, despite the fact that Mathewson had himself pleaded guilty to money laundering and tax evasion in a separate proceeding. Mathewson testified about his relationship with Baldwin and Yolanda Wong, one of Baldwin’s confederates who received $100,000 of Piscopo’s money. Mathewson testified that Baldwin and Wong were the only people with access to the account into 10 No. 03-3721 which Piscopo’s $2 million had been deposited, and he detailed the various payments they made with that money— payments to Baldwin’s friends, to credit card companies, and payments for other personal expenses. Baldwin testified in his own defense and offered a litany of excuses that the district court judge characterized as “not only incredible but border[ing] on the absurd.” Baldwin claimed to have been a victim of the fraud rather than its perpetrator; he continued to blame various unnamed individuals who supposedly orchestrated the scheme and had true control over Piscopo’s money. For instance, Baldwin claimed that the money was held in trust by a man known to him only as “Mr. 24.” Baldwin insisted that he had no real knowledge of financial matters, despite having talked up his skill with money to Piscopo on multiple occasions. We find not the slightest reason to question the conclusion of the district court that the government proved its case against Baldwin beyond a reasonable doubt.